Capital and Control: A Bourdieusian Analysis of Rural Revitalization Under Governance Regimes in China

This study investigates spatial heterogeneity in China’s rural revitalization through a configurational lens that integrates Bourdieu’s capital theory with Foucault’s governmentality. Using data for 31 provinces, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) reveal multiple equifinal development pathways. A prominent configuration associated with high attainment combines ecological and human capital within adaptive governance, while six additional patterns are linked to partial capital deficits and more rigid policy rationalities. By mapping provincial governance regimes and capital strategies, the analysis characterizes how differing institutional logics correspond to observed variations in land use, rural development priorities, and resource allocation. The paper advances a dual-structure framework connecting capital accumulation and governance control, and outlines theoretical and policy implications for context-sensitive revitalization strategies in China and comparable settings.