This study examines the role of village regulations within China’s Litigation Source Governance (LSG) framework, specifically analyzing Tianjin Municipality’s 2023 Model Village Regulations. Employing legal analysis and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, the research evaluates the effectiveness, enforceability, and thematic orientation of these regulations in grassroots dispute resolution. Findings reveal a pronounced reliance on moral governance provisions, limited judicial recognition, and significant implementation challenges due to the predominance of non-binding (soft) clauses. The study recommends enhancing judicial recognition through formal confirmation mechanisms, increasing legally binding clauses, and integrating village-level governance more closely with formal judicial processes. This approach not only strengthens local governance but also provides valuable insights for nationwide replication, supporting broader goals of rural stability and governance modernization.
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