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An Authoritarian Undercurrent in the Postmaterialist Tide: The Rise of Authoritarianism Among the Younger Generation in China

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  • Shuai Jin
  • Yingnan Joseph Zhou

Abstract

Objective This study examines how the political context of socialization affects the political orientations of the younger generation in China. Methods Using four national surveys and multiple indicators of authoritarian orientation, this study compares Chinese generations with multilevel ordered logistic regression and linear regression. Results Our analysis shows that the younger generation, Xi generation, is more orientated toward authoritarianism than its preceding generations, while its previous generation, Hu generation, was not more authoritarian than its prior generations when the Hu generation was the youngest in the survey. Conclusion Against the influential modernization theory, which predicts young generations to be more critical of the status quo, we conclude that the younger generation in China is on the authoritarian side of the spectrum and this generational pattern is more likely to be caused by heightened authoritarianism in the political context of socialization than a life‐cycle effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuai Jin & Yingnan Joseph Zhou, 2021. "An Authoritarian Undercurrent in the Postmaterialist Tide: The Rise of Authoritarianism Among the Younger Generation in China," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(1), pages 90-106, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:102:y:2021:i:1:p:90-106
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12898
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ming-Chang Tsai & Ssu-Chin Peng, 2025. "Postmaterialism, Generational Replacement and Value Change: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of the US, Japan, Türkiye and China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 173-194, January.
    2. Yue Yin, 2022. "Understanding democratic perceptions and political participation among the younger generation in China's changing society: No news is good news for the Chinese government," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(5), pages 1168-1189, September.

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