Role and Function: Analysis on the Role of Rural Elites in Village Governance—Take Z Village of Zhijiang City in Hubei as an Example

Guo Xitong, Zhu Bifa

Abstract: Rural elites, as advanced parts in the village, play an important role in village production and life. However, what roles do they play in specific village governance practices? It can be found in the individual case of village governance. This paper will take Z village of Zhijiang city in Hubei as an example to summarize the role of rural elites in village governance as the trinity: political function, economic function and cultural function. The three functions affect and promote each other, and provides a strong guarantee for village governance together.

Keywords: rural elites; role definition; village governance