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Voting and Values: Grassroots Elections in Rural and Urban China

Author

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  • John James Kennedy

    (Department of Political Science, University of Kansas, USA)

  • Haruka Nagao

    (Department of Political Science, University of Kansas, USA)

  • Hongyan Liu

    (School of Economics, Northwest University of Political Science and Law, China)

Abstract

Authoritarian leaders often claim that they promote democratic institutions such as elections and democratic values. In China, the central propaganda often promotes the right and duty of citizens to vote in local elections as well as the importance of citizens’ input into the policy making process. However, there is often a gap between government rhetoric and reality. In this article, we use the China General Social Survey (CGSS) 2013 to evaluate the determinants of voting in local elections and democratic values (attitudes) in rural and urban China. The results show that respondents with higher education tend to have lower levels of democratic values and participate less in local elections, but respondents with only compulsory education are more likely to display democratic orientations and vote. This suggests the relative success as well as the limits of authoritarian democratic propaganda.

Suggested Citation

  • John James Kennedy & Haruka Nagao & Hongyan Liu, 2018. "Voting and Values: Grassroots Elections in Rural and Urban China," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(2), pages 90-102.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v:6:y:2018:i:2:p:90-102
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ian McAllister & Stephen White, 2017. "Economic Change and Public Support for Democracy in China and Russia," Europe-Asia Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 69(1), pages 76-91, January.
    2. Youngho Cho, 2015. "How Well are Global Citizenries Informed about Democracy? Ascertaining the Breadth and Distribution of Their Democratic Enlightenment and Its Sources," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 63(1), pages 240-258, March.
    3. Jie Lu & John Aldrich & Tianjian Shi, 2014. "Revisiting Media Effects in Authoritarian Societies," Politics & Society, , vol. 42(2), pages 253-283, June.
    4. John James Kennedy, 2009. "Maintaining Popular Support for the Chinese Communist Party: The Influence of Education and the State‐Controlled Media," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 57(3), pages 517-536, October.
    5. Lipset, Seymour Martin, 1959. "Some Social Requisites of Democracy: Economic Development and Political Legitimacy1," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 53(1), pages 69-105, March.
    6. Chen, Jie, 2013. "A Middle Class Without Democracy: Economic Growth and the Prospects for Democratization in China," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199841639.
    7. John James Kennedy, 2009. "Maintaining Popular Support for the Chinese Communist Party: The Influence of Education and the State-Controlled Media," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 57, pages 517-536, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Natasha Ezrow, 2018. "Authoritarianism in the 21st Century," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(2), pages 83-86.

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