Contemporary Village Elites Function And Influence

Research of elite is always a hot issue in field of rural problem in China. However, the focus of social elite is seldom to be discussed in many research results. The authority of social elite originates from cultural identity in the rural society which is different from governing elite. Because of this particularity that, the paper thinks that it is necessary to do a deep study to the constitution of social elite as well as their roles in village development. Firstly, by the in-depth description of H village, the paper discusses the type and feature of social elite; secondly, by the analysis of specific event in the village, shows the investigation and discussion on the function and influence of social elite in the village development; finally, from the perspective of the relationship between social elite and development of village, the paper explores the functional limitations of social elite and make a prospect of improvement.Surveys show that there’s complex constitution of the social elite which can be divided into four kinds:old retiree, intellectual, former village cadres and activist. Due to the positive function and influence of social elite in the development of village, the necessity of social elite is realistic, which is reflected in promoting the village cultural heritage, the development of village democracy, and the village public services and facilities. Meanwhile, it can’t be ignored that there’s negative function of social elite in village development, for example, some selfish behavior increases power operation cost; or clan village interferes the village affairs, etc.It is also necessary to integrate the power of the village development, to realize the sustainable development of village, which is subject to village community memory and character. In order to mobilize more social elites to take part in developing the village positively, the rural villagers’ autonomy system even and the national rural political and economic system should be improved gradually. Also, the village elite cultivation should be focused, in order to be good governance.