On the Improvement of Villagers' Self-governance in China

In recent years, China has been making great progress in villagers' self-governance which centers on implementing the Organization Law of Villagers' Committee. But there are still some problems in the process of villagers' self-governance in China. This paper made deep analysis on these problems explored some approaches to improve villagers' self-governance. The paper held that the major problems in villagers' self-governance in China are: (1) The term of office is too short; (2) Bribery in the election of villagers' committee; (3) Deficiencies in the system of democratic decision; (4)The internal relationships of autonomous bodies are not straightened out; (5) The economic functions of villagers' committee are weakened; (6) Democratic management and democratic supervision only become a mere formality; (7) The capability of town government in guiding, supporting and assisting villagers' committee is not satisfactory. The paper suggested that it is imperative to make amendment to the current Organization Law of Villagers' Committee with respect to the term of office of villagers' committee, the constitution of conditions of crime of bribery in election; the system of democratic decision and democratic management and specification of legal liabilities. It also suggested further improvement of the capability of the town government in guiding, supporting and assisting villagers' committee in its work of villagers' self-governance.