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Social Capital in Urban China: Attitudinal and Behavioral Effects on Grassroots Self‐Government

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  • Jie Chen
  • Chunlong Lu

Abstract

Objectives. Studies of Western settings, in general, argue that social capital, defined as a set of civic norms and social networks among ordinary citizens, nurtures democratic governance at various levels. Does such a social capital exist in a transitional society such as China? If so, what kind of role does social capital play in affecting individuals' attitudinal and behavioral orientations toward fledging grassroots self‐government in that society? This study is intended to answer these questions, which are crucial for our understanding of China's sociopolitical development as well as for the application of social capital theories in non‐Western societies. Methods. This study is based on the data collected from a representative survey conducted in an urban area in China in 2004. Results. The findings from this study indicate that social capital among urban residents was abundant, and it nurtured the grassroots self‐government system through residents' attitudinal and behavioral orientations toward the system. Conclusions. These findings have strong implications for the future of local democratic governance and applicability of social capital theories in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie Chen & Chunlong Lu, 2007. "Social Capital in Urban China: Attitudinal and Behavioral Effects on Grassroots Self‐Government," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 88(2), pages 422-442, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:88:y:2007:i:2:p:422-442
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2007.00465.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rongzhu Ke & Weiying Zhang, 2003. "Trust in China: A Cross-Regional Analysis," William Davidson Institute Working Papers Series 2003-586, William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan.
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    Cited by:

    1. Junyi Shen & Xiangdong Qin, 2014. "Cooperation, Trust and Economic Development: An Experimental Study in China," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(4), pages 423-438, October.
    2. Myunghee Kim & Xiongwei Cao, 2021. "Linking global leadership to domestic legitimacy: Comparative analysis of perceptions of Xi and Obama," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(4), pages 1638-1653, July.
    3. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Daisuke Kataoka & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Effectiveness and Challenges in Local Self-Governance: Multifunctional Autonomy in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Min Xia, 2011. "Social Capital and Rural Grassroots Governance in China," Journal of Current Chinese Affairs - China aktuell, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 40(2), pages 135-163.
    5. Narisong Huhe, 2014. "Understanding the Multilevel Foundation of Social Trust in Rural China: Evidence from the China General Social Survey," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(2), pages 581-597, June.
    6. Qin, Xiangdong & Shen, Junyi & Meng, Xindan, 2011. "Group-based trust, trustworthiness and voluntary cooperation: Evidence from experimental and survey data in China," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 356-363, August.
    7. Yu, Ang & Tang, Chengzuo, 2018. "Mobilized to Take a Vanguard Role: Communist Party Members’ Participation in the Community Building Campaign," SocArXiv 6khja, Center for Open Science.
    8. Rong Hu & Ivan Y. Sun & Yuning Wu, 2015. "Chinese Trust in the Police: The Impact of Political Efficacy and Participation," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 96(4), pages 1012-1026, December.

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