Capital and Control: A Bourdieusian Analysis of Rural Revitalization Under Governance Regimes in China
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates spatial heterogeneity in China’s rural revitalization through a configurational lens that integrates Bourdieu’s capital theory with Foucault’s governmentality. Using data for 31 provinces, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) reveal multiple equifinal development pathways. A prominent configuration associated with high attainment combines ecological and human capital within adaptive governance, while six additional patterns are linked to partial capital deficits and more rigid policy rationalities. By mapping provincial governance regimes and capital strategies, the analysis characterizes how differing institutional logics correspond to observed variations in land use, rural development priorities, and resource allocation. The paper advances a dual-structure framework connecting capital accumulation and governance control, and outlines theoretical and policy implications for context-sensitive revitalization strategies in China and comparable settings.
Source: SAGE Open
Authors: Chen Zhaoyu, Wang Lei, Lin Rufeng
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,600
OpenAlex ID: W7113904499