A Typological Analysis of Rural Youth Deliberative Participation and Its Generative Logic: A Case Study of D Village, H Province

Abstract

Rural youth participation in deliberative consultation has the potential to revitalize grassroots good governance; however, insufficient participation remains a persistent challenge. Based on fieldwork in townships in North China, this qualitative study employs Coleman’s rational choice theory as an analytical framework. It reveals that youth’s decisions to engage in deliberative consultation are shaped by both structural factors and individual endowments. Through an adaptive transformation driven by expectations of outcomes, participation capacity, available time, eligibility, and action strategies, youth form relatively stable participation types: Dominant, Subordinate, Potential, Limited, and Absent. This research uncovers the diverse manifestations of rural youth participation in terms of causes, current status, and forms. Accordingly, further exploration is needed regarding recognizing diverse formats of deliberative consultation, the construction of differentiated youth participation mechanisms, and the cultivation of a participation-friendly culture.