HAIXUAN: China Rural Democracy in Early 1990s

HAIXUAN (A direct election method without nominating candidates) is a linguistic aspect that reflects not only social phenomena but also, and more importantly, the creative nature of farmers in the political life of China in the early 1990s. Its emergence marked a breakthrough in village self-governance and the expression of Chinese farmers’ desire for freedom and democratic rights and demonstrated not only Chinese farmers’ ability to make rational choices but also the power of Chinese political development. The term “HAIXUAN,” which is a time label annotating the change in farmers’ thoughts, reflects the changes and development of rural political life and the social desire for democracy from its emergence to its development. The emergence of election without candidates reflects a practical need in a specific historical context, noting both the creative nature of farmers and the promotion of grassroots government and the state. Election without candidates is a product of top-down policies. The emergence and development trajectory of “HAIXUAN” exemplify the changes in rural politics after village self-governance, confirming the transition process from authoritarian politics to democratic politics in rural areas.