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Identifying and Understanding Distinctive Political Attitudes of Chinese Migrant Workers: A Research Note

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  • Yao‐Yuan Yeh
  • Robert Harmel

Abstract

Objective The objectives are to (1) determine the extent to which problem priorities of migrant workers differ from attitudes of both nonmigrating rural peasants and urban workers and (2) attempt to explain those differences as resulting from either relative deprivation or relative awareness. Methods Using data from a nationwide representative survey of Chinese adults, analyses include both cross‐tabulation and multiple regression. Results Rural migrants are indeed significantly more likely than at‐home peasants to give high priority to solving several “economic” problems as well as environmental pollution and crime. Conclusion The problem identifications of hundreds of millions of rural migrant workers have plausibly been altered by their experience as rural‐to‐urban migrants. Of broader theoretical significance, the findings of this study suggest not only that citizens’ attitudes can be shaped significantly by their environment, but that change in a citizen's attitudes may result when a citizen experiences a dramatic change in environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao‐Yuan Yeh & Robert Harmel, 2021. "Identifying and Understanding Distinctive Political Attitudes of Chinese Migrant Workers: A Research Note," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(1), pages 154-165, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:102:y:2021:i:1:p:154-165
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12887
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fulong Wu & John Logan, 2016. "Do rural migrants ‘float’ in urban China? Neighbouring and neighbourhood sentiment in Beijing," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(14), pages 2973-2990, November.
    2. Landry, Pierre F. & Shen, Mingming, 2005. "Reaching Migrants in Survey Research: The Use of the Global Positioning System to Reduce Coverage Bias in China," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(1), pages 1-22, January.
    3. Zhiming Cheng & Haining Wang & Russell Smyth, 2014. "Happiness and job satisfaction in urban China: A comparative study of two generations of migrants and urban locals," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(10), pages 2160-2184, August.
    4. Stark, Oded & Taylor, J Edward, 1991. "Migration Incentives, Migration Types: The Role of Relative Deprivation," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 101(408), pages 1163-1178, September.
    5. Eiji Mangyo & Albert Park, 2011. "Relative Deprivation and Health: Which Reference Groups Matter?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 46(3), pages 459-481.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Harmel & Chen Shen & Yao‐Yuan Yeh, 2022. "Understanding Chinese nationalism: Does location matter?," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(3), pages 670-685, May.

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