| This research attempts to better understand the dynamics and the role of local elections under authoritarianism through a within-country comparative study of Chinese village elections. Both quantitative and qualitative evidence from 574 household survey interviews, 56 in-depth interviews with local officials, and historical records of township and village politics in Shandong and Henan provinces is examined. To assess China's village elections, this study concentrates on the issues of turnout, elite formation, electoral fairness, postelection power structure, and the development of political consciousness. This research shows that stake-holders are more likely to turn out in a freer village election. Although voters desire village leaders with the potential for good public service, the political stake-holders end up winning elections. Perceived electoral fairness attributes more to individual electoral experiences than to the general features of the election process. Those having voted for the winners without pressure from others tend to evaluate elections positively. Active political participation does ultimately affect the postelection power structure. To many people, a popular election has yet been on the agenda to engender the village Party leader. Even though the potential impact of village elections in China is still limited and township government can control and manipulate elections institutionally to a great extent, village elections do perform some substantive functions. Some are conducive to the regime; others erode it. |
