How to channel state resources into rural society under the withering of grassroots governance: Lessons from the targeted poverty alleviation “pairing-up” support system in China
通过一个贫困村的自然随机试验，分析了结对帮扶中帮扶干部在信息收集、政策执行和促进贫困户自我发展方面的效果差异，发现组织重塑型帮扶网络优于组织维持型，且地方知识和激励相容是主要制约因素。
Support networks play a crucial role in channeling state resources to rural areas for targeted poverty alleviation (TPA) in China. The “pairing-up” support system (PSS) and its paired helpers are key to this process. This study uses natural randomized trials in a poverty-stricken village to analyze the effectiveness of helpers in alleviating poverty. The results show that, first, the paired helpers exhibit varying levels of effectiveness in collecting information, implementing poverty alleviation policies, and promoting the self-development of poor households. Furthermore, the effectiveness of an organization-reshaped support network is superior to that of an organization-maintained support network. Second, the main factors that restrict the effectiveness of helpers in poverty alleviation are local knowledge and incentive compatibility, but not the helpers' abilities. Third, the PSS design is highly rational in TPA.