Cultural Empowerment Models and Mechanisms in Rural Development: A Case Study in Zhang Village, China

This study in Zhang Village, Muchuan County, Leshan City, China, examines cultural empowerment's role in stimulating rural endogenous development and outlines related development models and pathways. This research uses a multidimensional approach to analyze vital cultural elements in Zhang Village. The study uses Lasso regression analysis to quantitatively assess these cultural components' impact on rural development, supported by a five-year dataset from 2018 to 2022. The analysis incorporates a comprehensive dataset of cultural activities, facilities, industry outputs, and policy implementations in the village. Findings reveal that protecting traditional crafts, harnessing cultural industries' economic potential, and robustly implementing cultural policies are crucial to rural development. Cultural empowerment significantly enhances economic performance and community engagement. This enhancement promotes economic diversification and strengthens social cohesion and cultural identity. The study emphasizes the essential need to develop effective cultural policies that foster an environment conducive to sustainable rural development. It argues that integrating cultural aspects into comprehensive development strategies is critical. The research offers new theoretical insights and practical approaches, contributing to discussions on rural revitalization.