Study title

The dataset underpins a study on "Social Capital and the Effectiveness of Land Use Policies: Evidence from Rural China," drawing from the 17 Provinces Rural Land Survey by Renmin University of China. This research navigates the intricacies of land use policy effectiveness in rural China, underpinned by the significant reforms initiated by the 1986 Constitution allowing transactions of land use rights. These reforms enabled local governments to lease land use rights to the private sector, significantly contributing to fiscal revenues and fostering economic development and urban expansion at an impressive rate. However, this rapid transformation introduced several challenges, including legal, social, and environmental issues centered around land use policies. The study delves into the consequences of these reforms, such as the technical efficiency impacts on livestock grazing in Tibet versus the degradation of ecosystem services in Inner Mongolia, and the negative effects of full-scale land relocation practices on organic fertilizer usage. The complexity of redeveloping brownfields in rural areas and the crucial role of rural land tenure in investment, productivity, and participation in the land rental market are also highlighted. The effectiveness of land use policies has thus become a focal point for scholarly investigation, particularly regarding the impact on rural residents, who are critical stakeholders in the reform process. Central to this exploration is the concept of social capital, defined as the network of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling society to function effectively. Social capital, encompassing elements such as trust, social networks, and norms, plays a pivotal role in encouraging environmental restoration and climate change adaptation efforts. This has been observed not only in China but globally, suggesting a move towards behavioral land use policies that leverage social capital for cost-effective...