The social security function of agriculture in China

On the basis of the Lewis model, this paper addresses the theoretical foundations of the social security function of the agricultural sector and investigates the impact of this function on Chinese development. We argue that the agricultural sector and secure agricultural land holdings are important means, in the absence of comprehensive government provision of social security, in insuring rural residents and rural-urban migrants against risks and uncertainties. Given a large rural population and massive rural-urban migration, secure access to land for both rural and migrant populations in China has helped the economy avoid systemic risk and helped to maintain social stability. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.