本論文旨在探討1990年後期興起的中國大陸鄉鎮選舉改革。四川省遂寧市市中區步雲鄉1998年的鄉長直選係全中國大陸首例。因此以步雲鄉鄉長直選為案例，探討其起源、歷程、困境及意義為何？特別是著重探究推動基層選舉改革的動因為何？本論文使用「次級資料分析法」與「案例分析法」為研究方法，進而分析中國大陸基層選舉制度的相關海內外文獻，另採用理性選擇制度變遷、自主性制度變遷及強制性制度變遷等理論，以及國家與公民社會研究途徑，以探析影響中國大陸基層選舉改革的因素。 / The theme of this thesis lies in probing into the reforms of China’s local election at Xiang/township level that was beginning to rise in late 1990's. The election of Buyun Xiang chief directly in the Shizhong District of Suining in Sichuan Province set a precedent for the first time at the end of 1998. So in order to regard Buyun Xiang as the case, probe into the origin, course, dilemma and meaning of the Xiang chief election directly? Especially understand emphatically what promote the incentive of the election reform at the basic level? The thesis uses “secondary materials analysis” and “case study analysis” as the research method, as to analysing about the relevant documents which study the Mainland China electoral system at the basic level both at home and abroad, and choose Rational Choice Institutionalism, Motivational and Compulsory of Institutional Transitions, complement it with research approach of State and Civil Society, do case analysis to the factor influencing electoral reform at the basic level.