Patterns of Social Capital Observed through Land and Water Use in a Farming Village in China's Central Region

摘要

Today, there is a rich body of research focusing on social capital. But how should we conceptualize the situation in China's villages? This article will analyze reasons for the lack of development in farming villages in one of China's central regions, Hubei Province, taking into account factors other than those apparent in villages in the western region, for example, where the severe natural environment has an impact; Human factors can be considered to be preponderant. Based on data obtained in the course of fieldwork, individuals are interacting with society as they assert their rights in order to protect their interests in public and private realms and attempt (or not) to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations.