Causes of rural poverty in China: A sociological aspect

The author analyzes the works of leading Russian, Western, and Chinese rural sociologists who explore the rural way of life. These sociologists’ works were examined from the standpoint of seeking the causes of a low standard of living of rural residents and the reasons they often face poverty. The article reflects the work of such rural sociologists as A. V. Chayanov, T. Shanin, A. Mandra, J. Scott, and Fei Xiaotong, who have consistently explored the causes of rural poverty and offered various explanations for these causes. The explanations of these scientists, taken together, provide insight into the causes of rural poverty and the possibility of identifying the key ones. They can also serve as a basis for developing government programs to address these issues in rural areas.