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Abstract
This paper analyzes Chinese farmers’ participation in agricultural
cooperatives. Special focus is placed on the country’s cultural and
institutional background and its impact on cooperatives’ governance
structure. The impact of differences in regional economic and social
development and the need for formal institutions and democratic governance
of farmers’ organizations are also examined. The empirical analysis utilizes
survey data from 373 agricultural cooperative members in two provinces in
China of differing economic development levels: the western, less developed
region Sichuan, and the well developed region Zhejiang on the eastern coast.
Hypotheses regarding differences between the two regions, aimed to target
each of the four levels of social organization discussed by Williamson
(2000), are formulated and tested.