Vote Buying and Land Takings in China's Village Elections

Why has vote buying spread so rapidly in China's village elections in recent years? Based on fieldwork conducted in 14 villages of Shandong Province, this article argues that candidates pursue vote buying when they perceive large potential economic rents associated with the village leader's power. While such rents were relatively limited in the past, the introduction of land takings in rural areas has significantly changed this situation and sharply increased potential rents for candidates, thus providing them with stronger incentives to pursue vote buying. In other words, this article associates vote buying with rent seeking in China's village elections.