Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Chinese Political Science 4/2020

28-07-2020 | Research Article

The Effect of Political Participation and Village Support on Farmers Happiness

Authors: Lin Tang, Xiaofeng Luo, Weizheng Yu, Yanzhong Huang

Published in: Journal of Chinese Political Science | Issue 4/2020

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

This paper explores the internal transmission mechanism and influence of political participation and village support on farmers’ happiness based on an analysis of data from a micro survey of farmers. The research uses the big surname identity as a tool variable to estimate the influence of political participation on farmers’ happiness within the unified framework of CMP and Bioprobit, and adopts a propensity score matching method to construct a counterfactual framework to correct possible selectivity bias. The empirical results show that, firstly, there is a significant positive effect of political participation and village support on the happiness of farmers. Secondly, except for the direct impact on happiness, political participation indirectly affects happiness through village support by playing an intermediary role between political participation and happiness. Thirdly, given the heterogeneity among farmers, political participation has a more significant effect on the happiness of high-income, male, young farmers, while village support has a more pronounced effect on the happiness of low-income, male, older farmers.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literature
1.
go back to reference Adler, M.D., P. Dolan, and G. Kavetsos. 2017. Would you choose to be happy? Tradeoffs between happiness and the other dimensions of life in a large population survey. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 139: 60–73. Adler, M.D., P. Dolan, and G. Kavetsos. 2017. Would you choose to be happy? Tradeoffs between happiness and the other dimensions of life in a large population survey. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 139: 60–73.
2.
go back to reference Alpaslan, A., G. Corrado, D. Juan, and K.F.Z. Robalino. 2014. Remittances and well-being among rural-to-urban migrants in China. Review of Economics of the Household 12 (3): 517–546. Alpaslan, A., G. Corrado, D. Juan, and K.F.Z. Robalino. 2014. Remittances and well-being among rural-to-urban migrants in China. Review of Economics of the Household 12 (3): 517–546.
3.
go back to reference Angrist, J.D., and J. Pischke. 2008. Mostly harmless econometrics: An Empiricist’s companion. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Angrist, J.D., and J. Pischke. 2008. Mostly harmless econometrics: An Empiricist’s companion. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
4.
go back to reference Bartolini, S., M. Mikucka, and F. Sarracino. 2017. Money, trust and happiness in transition countries: Evidence from time series. Social Indicators Research 130 (1): 87–106. Bartolini, S., M. Mikucka, and F. Sarracino. 2017. Money, trust and happiness in transition countries: Evidence from time series. Social Indicators Research 130 (1): 87–106.
5.
go back to reference Ben-Bassat, A., and M. Dahan. 2011. Social identity and voting behavior. Public Choice 151 (1): 193–214. Ben-Bassat, A., and M. Dahan. 2011. Social identity and voting behavior. Public Choice 151 (1): 193–214.
6.
go back to reference Blanchflower, D.G., and A.J. Oswald. 2004. Well-being over time in Britain and the USA. Journal of Public Economics 88 (7–8): 1359–1386. Blanchflower, D.G., and A.J. Oswald. 2004. Well-being over time in Britain and the USA. Journal of Public Economics 88 (7–8): 1359–1386.
7.
go back to reference Boes, S., and R. Winkelmann. 2010. The effect of income on general life satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Social Indicators Research 95 (1): 111–128. Boes, S., and R. Winkelmann. 2010. The effect of income on general life satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Social Indicators Research 95 (1): 111–128.
8.
go back to reference Brereton, F., J.P. Clinch, and S. Ferreira. 2008. Happiness, geography and the environment. Ecological Economics 65 (2): 386–396. Brereton, F., J.P. Clinch, and S. Ferreira. 2008. Happiness, geography and the environment. Ecological Economics 65 (2): 386–396.
9.
go back to reference Clark, A.E., P. Frijters, and M.A. Shields. 2008. Relative income, happiness, and utility: An explanation for the Easterlin paradox and other puzzles. Journal of Economic Literature 46 (1): 95–144. Clark, A.E., P. Frijters, and M.A. Shields. 2008. Relative income, happiness, and utility: An explanation for the Easterlin paradox and other puzzles. Journal of Economic Literature 46 (1): 95–144.
10.
go back to reference Devine, J., T. Hinks, and A. Naveed. 2019. Happiness in Bangladesh: The role of religion and connectedness. Journal of Happiness Studies 20 (5): 1–21. Devine, J., T. Hinks, and A. Naveed. 2019. Happiness in Bangladesh: The role of religion and connectedness. Journal of Happiness Studies 20 (5): 1–21.
11.
go back to reference Diener, E. 1984. Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin 95 (3): 542–575. Diener, E. 1984. Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin 95 (3): 542–575.
12.
go back to reference Dolan, P., T. Peasgood, and M. White. 2008. Do we really know what makes us happy? A review of the economic literature on the factors associated with subjective well-being. Journal of Economic Psychology 29: 94–122. Dolan, P., T. Peasgood, and M. White. 2008. Do we really know what makes us happy? A review of the economic literature on the factors associated with subjective well-being. Journal of Economic Psychology 29: 94–122.
13.
go back to reference Dreyer, J., and I. Schwartz-Attias. 2014. Nursing care for adolescents and young adults with cancer: Literature review. Acta Haematologica 132: 363–374. Dreyer, J., and I. Schwartz-Attias. 2014. Nursing care for adolescents and young adults with cancer: Literature review. Acta Haematologica 132: 363–374.
14.
go back to reference Easterlin, R.A. 1995. Will raising the incomes of all increase the happiness of all? Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 27 (1): 35–47. Easterlin, R.A. 1995. Will raising the incomes of all increase the happiness of all? Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 27 (1): 35–47.
15.
go back to reference Ferrer-I-Carbonell, A. 2005. Income and well-being: An empirical analysis of the comparison income effect. Journal of Public Economics 89 (5–6): 997–1019. Ferrer-I-Carbonell, A. 2005. Income and well-being: An empirical analysis of the comparison income effect. Journal of Public Economics 89 (5–6): 997–1019.
16.
go back to reference Ferrer-i-Carbonell, A., and P. Frijters. 2004. How important is methodology for the estimates of the determinants of happiness? Economic Journal 114 (497): 641–659. Ferrer-i-Carbonell, A., and P. Frijters. 2004. How important is methodology for the estimates of the determinants of happiness? Economic Journal 114 (497): 641–659.
17.
go back to reference Freedman, M. 2004. Lineage organization in Southeastern China. London: University of London, Athlone Press. Freedman, M. 2004. Lineage organization in Southeastern China. London: University of London, Athlone Press.
19.
go back to reference Graham, C., S. Zhou, and J. Zhang. 2017. Happiness and health in China: The paradox of progress. World Development 96: 231–244. Graham, C., S. Zhou, and J. Zhang. 2017. Happiness and health in China: The paradox of progress. World Development 96: 231–244.
20.
go back to reference Hous, J.S., D. Umberson, and K.R. Landis. 1988. Structures and processes of social support. Annual Review of Sociology 14: 293–318. Hous, J.S., D. Umberson, and K.R. Landis. 1988. Structures and processes of social support. Annual Review of Sociology 14: 293–318.
21.
go back to reference Huang, J. 2018. Income inequality, distributive justice beliefs, and happiness in China: Evidence from a nationwide survey. Social Indicators Research 142 (2): 1–23. Huang, J. 2018. Income inequality, distributive justice beliefs, and happiness in China: Evidence from a nationwide survey. Social Indicators Research 142 (2): 1–23.
22.
go back to reference Iacobucci, D. 2012. Mediation analysis and categorical variables: The final frontier. Journal of Consumer Psychology 4: 582–594. Iacobucci, D. 2012. Mediation analysis and categorical variables: The final frontier. Journal of Consumer Psychology 4: 582–594.
23.
go back to reference Kennedy, J., S. Rozelle, and Y.J. Shi. 2004. Elected leaders and collective land: Farmers’ evaluation of village leaders’ performance in rural China. Journal of Chinese Political Science 9 (1): 1–22. Kennedy, J., S. Rozelle, and Y.J. Shi. 2004. Elected leaders and collective land: Farmers’ evaluation of village leaders’ performance in rural China. Journal of Chinese Political Science 9 (1): 1–22.
24.
go back to reference Kingdon, G., and J. Knight. 2007. Community, comparisons and subjective well-being in a divided society. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 64 (1): 69–90. Kingdon, G., and J. Knight. 2007. Community, comparisons and subjective well-being in a divided society. Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 64 (1): 69–90.
25.
go back to reference Lane, R. 2000. The loss of happiness in market economies. New Haven: Yale University Press. Lane, R. 2000. The loss of happiness in market economies. New Haven: Yale University Press.
26.
go back to reference Lang, Y.X. 2006. Crafting village democracy in China: The roles, networking, and strategies of provincial elites. Journal of Chinese Political Science 11: 61–82. Lang, Y.X. 2006. Crafting village democracy in China: The roles, networking, and strategies of provincial elites. Journal of Chinese Political Science 11: 61–82.
27.
go back to reference Lin, N., and W.S.C. Light. 1985. The buffering effect of social support subsequent to an important life event. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 26 (3): 247–263. Lin, N., and W.S.C. Light. 1985. The buffering effect of social support subsequent to an important life event. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 26 (3): 247–263.
28.
go back to reference Loubser, R., and C. Steenekamp. 2017. Democracy, well-being, and happiness: A 10-nation study. Journal of Public Affairs 17 (1–2): e1646. Loubser, R., and C. Steenekamp. 2017. Democracy, well-being, and happiness: A 10-nation study. Journal of Public Affairs 17 (1–2): e1646.
29.
go back to reference Lu, M., Jiang, S. Q., & Sato Hiroshi, 2014. Fairness and happiness. Studies in Labor Economics, 2 (1): 26–48. (in Chinses). Lu, M., Jiang, S. Q., & Sato Hiroshi, 2014. Fairness and happiness. Studies in Labor Economics, 2 (1): 26–48. (in Chinses).
30.
go back to reference Luo, R., L. Zhang, J. Huang, and S. Rozelle. 2007. Elections, fiscal reform and public doods provision in rural China. Journal of Comparative Economics 35 (3): 583–611. Luo, R., L. Zhang, J. Huang, and S. Rozelle. 2007. Elections, fiscal reform and public doods provision in rural China. Journal of Comparative Economics 35 (3): 583–611.
31.
go back to reference Nikolaev, Boris. 2016. Does higher education increase hedonic and eudaimonic happiness? Journal of Happiness Studies 12: 483–504. Nikolaev, Boris. 2016. Does higher education increase hedonic and eudaimonic happiness? Journal of Happiness Studies 12: 483–504.
32.
go back to reference Oi, J., and S. Rozelle. 2000. Elections and power: The locus of decision-making in Chinese village. The China Quarterly 162: 513–539. Oi, J., and S. Rozelle. 2000. Elections and power: The locus of decision-making in Chinese village. The China Quarterly 162: 513–539.
33.
go back to reference Pan, Y. 2011. Born with the right surname: Lineage networks and political and economic opportunities in rural China. Louisiana: Louisiana State University Working Paper. Pan, Y. 2011. Born with the right surname: Lineage networks and political and economic opportunities in rural China. Louisiana: Louisiana State University Working Paper.
34.
go back to reference Peng, D.Y., and Q.J. Lai. 2008. The welfare impact of rural infrastructure construction. Management World 3: 175–176 (in Chinese). Peng, D.Y., and Q.J. Lai. 2008. The welfare impact of rural infrastructure construction. Management World 3: 175–176 (in Chinese).
36.
go back to reference Rueger, S.Y., C.K. Malecki, Y. Pyun, C. Aycock, and S. Coyle. 2016. A meta-analytic review of the association between perceived social support and depression in childhood and adolescence. Psychological Bulletin 142 (10): 1017–1067. Rueger, S.Y., C.K. Malecki, Y. Pyun, C. Aycock, and S. Coyle. 2016. A meta-analytic review of the association between perceived social support and depression in childhood and adolescence. Psychological Bulletin 142 (10): 1017–1067.
37.
go back to reference Russo, G. 2012. Job and life satisfaction among part-time and full-time workers: The “identity” approach. Review of Social Economy 70 (3): 315–343. Russo, G. 2012. Job and life satisfaction among part-time and full-time workers: The “identity” approach. Review of Social Economy 70 (3): 315–343.
38.
go back to reference Sajaia, Z. 2008. Maximum likelihood estimation of a bivariate ordered probit model: Implementation and Monte Carlo simulations. The Stata Journal 4 (2): 1–18. Sajaia, Z. 2008. Maximum likelihood estimation of a bivariate ordered probit model: Implementation and Monte Carlo simulations. The Stata Journal 4 (2): 1–18.
39.
go back to reference Samuel, H., and J. Nelson. 1989. Difficult choices-political participation in developing countries. Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House. Samuel, H., and J. Nelson. 1989. Difficult choices-political participation in developing countries. Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House.
40.
go back to reference Shi, T. 1999. Economic development and village elections in rural China. Journal of Contemporary China 8 (22): 425–442. Shi, T. 1999. Economic development and village elections in rural China. Journal of Contemporary China 8 (22): 425–442.
41.
go back to reference Song, and Linjun. 2015. Does who you know in the positional hierarchy protect or hurt? Social capital, comparative reference group, and depression in two societies. Social Science & Medicine 136–137: 117–127. Song, and Linjun. 2015. Does who you know in the positional hierarchy protect or hurt? Social capital, comparative reference group, and depression in two societies. Social Science & Medicine 136–137: 117–127.
42.
go back to reference Stadelmann, S.I., and A. Vatter. 2012. Does satisfaction with democracy really increase happiness? Direct democracy and individual satisfaction in Switzerland. Political Behavior 34 (3): 535–559. Stadelmann, S.I., and A. Vatter. 2012. Does satisfaction with democracy really increase happiness? Direct democracy and individual satisfaction in Switzerland. Political Behavior 34 (3): 535–559.
43.
go back to reference Tan, Q.S. 2010. Why village election has not much improved village governance. Journal of Chinese Political Science 15: 153–167. Tan, Q.S. 2010. Why village election has not much improved village governance. Journal of Chinese Political Science 15: 153–167.
44.
go back to reference Tella, R.D., R.J. Macculloch, and A.J. Oswald. 2001. Preferences over inflation and unemployment: Evidence from surveys of happiness. American Economic Review 91 (1): 335–341. Tella, R.D., R.J. Macculloch, and A.J. Oswald. 2001. Preferences over inflation and unemployment: Evidence from surveys of happiness. American Economic Review 91 (1): 335–341.
45.
go back to reference Tony, S. 2007. Citizens’ perceptions of governance in rural and urban China. Journal of Chinese Political Science 12: 1–28. Tony, S. 2007. Citizens’ perceptions of governance in rural and urban China. Journal of Chinese Political Science 12: 1–28.
46.
go back to reference Veenhoven, R. 1984. Conditions of happiness. Kluwer Academic 39: 61–86. Veenhoven, R. 1984. Conditions of happiness. Kluwer Academic 39: 61–86.
47.
go back to reference Wang, X. 1997. Mutual empowerment of state and peasantry: Grassroots democracy in rural China. World Development 25 (12): 1431–1442. Wang, X. 1997. Mutual empowerment of state and peasantry: Grassroots democracy in rural China. World Development 25 (12): 1431–1442.
48.
go back to reference Wolfers, J. 2003. Is business cycle volatility costly? Evidence from surveys of subjective well-being. International Finance 6 (1): 1–26. Wolfers, J. 2003. Is business cycle volatility costly? Evidence from surveys of subjective well-being. International Finance 6 (1): 1–26.
49.
go back to reference Zhang, X., 2010. The rural reform and development Chinese: Status, trend and review. In Introduction to China rural reform and development. Beijing: China Social sciences Press. (In Chinese). Zhang, X., 2010. The rural reform and development Chinese: Status, trend and review. In Introduction to China rural reform and development. Beijing: China Social sciences Press. (In Chinese).
50.
go back to reference Zhang, X., S. Fan, L. Zhang, and J. Huang. 2004. Local governance and public goods provision in rural China. Journal of Public Economics 88 (12): 2857–2871. Zhang, X., S. Fan, L. Zhang, and J. Huang. 2004. Local governance and public goods provision in rural China. Journal of Public Economics 88 (12): 2857–2871.
51.
go back to reference Zhang, X., X.B. Zhang, and X. Chen. 2017. Valuing air quality using happiness data: The case of China. Ecological Economics 137: 29–36. Zhang, X., X.B. Zhang, and X. Chen. 2017. Valuing air quality using happiness data: The case of China. Ecological Economics 137: 29–36.
52.
go back to reference Zhi, J. N., & Chen, Q. H., 2018. Surname and happiness. World Economic Papers18 (1): 104–120. (In Chinese). Zhi, J. N., & Chen, Q. H., 2018. Surname and happiness. World Economic Papers18 (1): 104–120. (In Chinese).
Metadata
Title
The Effect of Political Participation and Village Support on Farmers Happiness
Authors
Lin Tang
Xiaofeng Luo
Weizheng Yu
Yanzhong Huang
Publication date
28-07-2020
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Chinese Political Science / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 1080-6954
Electronic ISSN: 1874-6357
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11366-020-09680-w

Other articles of this Issue 4/2020

Journal of Chinese Political Science 4/2020 Go to the issue