Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 2026, 9(3); doi: 10.25236/AJHSS.2026.090308.
Qi Zhou1, Xuanxuan Cheng2, Xuezhong Zhou3
1National Security School, Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Xi’an, 710122, Shaanxi, China
2School of Law, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, Ningxia, China
3School of Teacher Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, Ningxia, China
The structural transformation of rural society is an important component of China's modernization process. As an endogenous governance resource in rural areas, the functional evolution of rural rules and regulations is deeply coupled with the changes in rural society. This article takes the changes in rural society as the main line, and uses literature research, historical analysis, and case analysis methods to systematically sort out the functional transformation trajectory of rural rules and regulations from traditional customs and etiquette society to modern legal society. It analyzes the functional transformation logic from ethical constraints and order maintenance under clan leadership to grassroots governance, cultural inheritance, livelihood services, and conflict resolution under diversified co governance. Combining the practice of rural revitalization and modernization of grassroots governance, this article elaborates on the contemporary value of rural regulations and agreements in connecting national governance with rural reality, safeguarding the roots of local culture, and promoting comprehensive rural development. It identifies the practical difficulties faced in their formulation and implementation, legitimacy connection, and adaptability to the times, and proposes an optimization path that standardizes the formulation process, strengthens the connection of the rule of law, empowers digitalization, improves the execution mechanism, and emphasizes both inheritance and innovation. Research has shown that the functional transformation of rural rules and regulations is the result of the synergistic effect of social structure transformation, governance demand upgrading, and policy guidance. Its creative transformation and innovative development can provide important support for the modernization of grassroots governance and the construction of beautiful rural areas.
changes in rural society; township regulations and agreements; functional evolution; grassroots governance; rural revitalization connection of the rule of law
Qi Zhou, Xuanxuan Cheng, Xuezhong Zhou. The Functional Evolution and Contemporary Value of Rural Rules and Agreements in the Transformation of Rural Society. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 3: 53-59. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2026.090308.
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