A Study Of The Functions Of Rural Non-Governmental Organizations

With the development of market economy and the transition of the governmental functions, Non-governmental Organizations sprouted out rapidly in China, and they constitute three dimensions of the social development together with the government and market. This doctoral dissertation is intended to make a study of the Rural Non-governmental Organizations from functional angles, in the order of the basic theory, the rising and development, the political function, the economic function, the social function, the games and the construction of RNGO. Combined with substantial and criterial analyses, historical and comparative analyses, the dissertation makes a comprehensive study of RNGO using different methods in economics, management and sociology and so forth. The dissertation is composed of nine parts. Chapter I is a brief introduction of the study. This part mainly refers to the background and significance of the study, the comprehensive commentary, the study methods and route, and several possible innovations. The writer points out that different social sections should coexist in a harmonious way, and make an endeavour to promote the rural development in order to achieve the goal of a well-off society. However, the RNGO in China is still in the initial stage—a low development level, and many people even misunderstand them. Therefore, there is great necessity to make a further study of RNGO since only few systematic studies have been carried out so far. Chapter II analyses RNGO from the point of view of theory. The dissertation makes a theoretical definition of RNGO on the ground of classical organizational and NGO theories. RNGO in this dissertation mainly refers to the organisations formed voluntarily by farmers whose aim is to protect farmers'interests. RNGO undertakes many important social functions. In this chapter the writer makes a classification of RNGO from different angles, which includes political, economical and social organizations and so forth. Chapter III deals with the rising and development of RNGO. This part first makes a research of RNGO in American, Japanese and Public of Korea, which are of great significance to China. Then it studies the RNGO in modern China, esp. the Rural Construction experiments performed by Liang Shu-ming and James Yan. What is more important, this chapter discusses the necessity of developing RNGO from the points of enhancing farmers'abilities of challenging the market, representing farmers'interest and striving for an equal national status for farmers. Finally the writer expounds the general development of the present China. Chapter IV discusses political functions of RNGO. By analysing the development of farmer associations in modern China, this writer deals with the necessity of reconstructing new farmer societies, which will become new forces of rural conformity, promote the rural democratic process and protect farmer's interests. Of course the new workers from rural areas to cities are also covered here. Farmer Committee, which is of great importance in the rural political democracy, is a special NGO, thus can be considered semi-governmental. Chapter V refers to economic functions of RNGO. The economic functions are embodied in different ways such as the generalization of science and technology, professional production, rural market and the support and development for the poor. According to the problems that occur in the innovation and generalization of agricultural technology, the writer holds the view that farmer participation can promote this process, save the dealing costs and upgrade the ability of farmers to resist the risks. RNGO behaves quite well in helping the poor in rural areas, endowing them with some skills needed for employment to enhance their power to seek for jobs and ultimately increase their incomes. Chapter VI deals with social functions of RNGO. RNGO often invests rural fundamental education and skill training directly or join hands with others to do this, engage itself in cultural career to flourish rural cultural market and provide convenient and economical service in medical care and sports for farmers. The rural societies of Family Plan are quite active in their work, contributing much to controlling the population. RNGO is playing a more and more important role in protecting the environment, and has become an indispensable part in the whole country. Informal as rural religious and clan societies are now, they are also of great significance. Chapter VII analyses the relationships among RNGO and the government, market and other organizations. RNGO can cooperate with the government because they have similar management space and organizational mutuality in common. However, collisions between them often occur because of different organizational principles, the uncertainty of cooperation and RNGO's disadvantages. RNGO should make every effort to display itself in order to acquire more social support. The development of RNGO is the demand of market economy,while the latter exerts strong a impulse to the former. Various NGOs should try to trust and learn from each other so as to make their contributions. At the same time, they should also learn the merits of their foreign colleagues to gain more existence space and adapt themselves in the international society. Chapter VIII is about the construction of RNGO. RNGO's social obligations refer to those of law, finance and performances; they should be responsible for their every action and burden their liabilities. Social credit is the foundation of RNGO's existence. In this part the writer suggests a strong supervision upon RNGO to ensure their proper development. At present the law surroundings are not satisfactory to RNGO, and the government is required to make some necessary laws. The construction of RNGO's ability can ensure them to attain permanent strength for development, thus there is great need to reinforce the construction of RNGO's leadership, execution, management of human resources and social intercommunications. Chapter IX is an analysis of a certain case of RNGO. By examining the development trail of Society of the Old in Honghu Fishery, the essay reveals the uneven courses of RNGO and it is suggested that RNGO should be independent in order to bring them into full play and exist permanently.