摘要
Rural China in the 20^th century can be generalized as presenting a process of institutionalization. This process has occurred through three paths. The first one is state building, in the process of which state power is imposed on grass-roots administrations and exerts increasing influence on the routine life of farmers. The second is legal penetration, where state laws are established in place of local norms and conventions. The third is imported organizational forms in which farmers are grouped together according to certain standards.
