THE RESISTANCE OF LAND-LOST FARMERS IN CHINA: 'INTERESTS-STRIVING' AND 'STRUGGLE BY ORDER'

This paper discusses the nature of activities brought about by land-lost farmers whose collectively-owned land has been expropriated in China. Through a case study, it is argued that the ultimate purpose of land-lost farmers activities is mostly to improve their economic status, thus their responses to land expropriation are characterised as interests-striving activities. Their activities are mainly based on a paradox combination of institutionalized and paternalist order and are much contingent under the macro policy of maintaining stability (weiwen, 维稳), thus the most effective means of resources that they try to mobilise can be claimed as struggle by order .