Abstract: Land problems in rural area are becoming a more and more important factor triggering farmers’ petition. Considering the difficulties in rural governance resulted from farmers’ petition，it is necessary for the grassroot rural government to introduce innovation in social management，making sure that farmers’ interests are properly protected and society stays stable in rural areas. By making studies on the petition related event in Yangzhen，East Sichuan，we try to find out the factors undermining social stability in rural areas and the causes for them. On the basis of this case study，we also present some suggestions that we believe will help maintain social stability in rural areas: further enhance construction of democratic system，establish channels through which farmers may claim on their interests，give greater financial support to rural government，and establish a more reasonable performance assessment system.

Key words: society in transition, rural governance, rural land, farmers’ petition, social stability in rural