The Research On Rural Governing From The Perspective Of Social Capital

In 1980s, French socialist Pierre Bourdieu put forward the concept of "social capital" for the first time. Since then, "social capital" has become a hot and leading theory, attracting universal attention from the academic field. It has also become an important technical term in many subjects such as politics, economics ,social science and so on."Social capital" mainly focuses on the role of social trust, the net of social relationships and public awareness of participation in social governing, which is of particular significance in both theoretical and practical aspects to the economic and social development of China during this transitional period.Basing on the thoery of social capital, other relevant theories on governing, this article gives detailed analysis and profound research about the origin of the theory of social capital , the interactive relationship between socail capital and governance , and the condition and reconstruction of social capital in rural areas.The relationship between social capital and rural governing is discussed under the background of researching governing theory in the academic field. Governing requires a scientific definition of the relationships between government, market, social organiazations and the public and relies on the authority of the cooperating net to administrate the public affairs effectively through cooperation, negotiation and partnership. It is clear that social capital is relevant and interactive to governing.On one hand , social capital is the precondition and social foundation of administration. It dispels the difficulties brought by collective actions, promoting the appropriate distribution and proper use of public power,and therefore, achieving the goal of governing-government and society interacting in an favourable way. On the other hand, the cooperating governing between the government and the society constitutes the generative mechanism of the social capital while the widely existing social organizations are the soil and foundation for the its establishment and the government provides garentee for its promotion with institutions.The rural governing bases on "rural politics", bringing about the pluralism of the governing bodies, meeting the requirement of the governing theory that national power should return to the society in the theoretical sense, and establishing the framework of systems for the efficient cooperation between the government and the society. However, the rural society is facing a predicament in which social capital is drained away and tranmuted. First of all, the relationships based on social trust is tending to become more complex.The cardres in grass-root governments and villages have gradually lost villagers' political trust. The special kind of trust based on kindred, regional connection and personal relationships has been strengthened constantly. Secondly, the vertical sheltering relationsips in clans and the horizontal instrumental relationships among people interweave, consisting the general outline of the social net in rural areas, and constantly ,eroding the foundation of probity in rural governing. Last but not least, the very little cooperating spirit and participating awareness of peasants makes the autonomy of the villages only a superficial phenomenon, which lessens the effect of the rural governing.Therefore, an urgent task of rural governing, is to explore possible ways to build up social capital. Firstly, perfect relevant systems to strenghthen the institutional basis of the establishment of social capital. The construction of systems should follow in proper sequence ,instead of being done hastily. At present, two urgent reforming tasks need be done. The first one is to build up the communicating system between grass-root governments and peasants. The second one is to go on with the improvement of the autonomy in the village. Secondly, establish social organizations as stages for the development of social capital. The government should avoid excessive intervantion in social organizations, and in the meanwhile, provide necessary financial and political supports. Thirdly, cultivate the participating awareness and belonging sense of peasants as the psychological foundation of social capital. Inspire the passion and enthusiasm of the peasants for participating public affairs by strenghthening the economic connection between them, organizing various community activities, exploring traditional social capital and other proper ways. Lastly, develop rural education and strengthen the guiding role of the media.