Why do informal institutions, rather than formal institutions, explain better public goods provision at the village level in China? How does Tsai make her argument? What evidence does she provide? Is her evidence convincing? Why or why not?
In her article, “Solidary Groups, Informal Accountability and Local Public Goods Provision in Rural China,” author Lily Tsai argues that formal institutions do not explain variation in public goods provision at the village level in China. Instead, she finds that group-based institutions explain why some villages are better at public goods provision than others. Why […]