Intermediate Organisations and Grassroots Conflict Resolution in Rural China

Abstract

Existing research has demonstrated that intermediate organisations play important roles in contentious politics and conflict mediation in contemporary China. Yet, very little has been said on the exact pattern underlying the relationship between intermediate organisations and contentious politics. Drawing up small-N comparative case studies and large-N regression analysis, this paper finds that intermediate organisations with different structures tend to play different roles in contentious politics. More specifically, intermediate organisations that include local officials as members but are not directly controlled by the local government are more likely to serve as credible negotiation channels between the state and the society, and hence are more likely to provide everyday contention from escalating into violent conflicts.