In a bid to ease social unrest and gradually reform its politics, China implemented elections in a majority of its villages. Shortly thereafter, an explosion of protests was recorded throughout China. The two phenomena may be linked. This groundbreaking new study examines the extent of township interference in elections and its effect on local governance. It also offers evidence that the failure of elections, in combination with other problems, are contributing to widespread unrest in the countryside. Twenty-four villages throughout China were studied to develop detailed case studies of...