IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/socsci/v106y2025i3ne70022.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Paradox of Progress: Modernization, Shifting Values, and the Persistence of Authoritarianism in China

Author

Listed:
  • Hsin‐Che Wu

Abstract

Objective This study examines the evolving relationship between modernization, shifting value orientations, and political attitudes in China, with a focus on generational differences. Methods The study employed data from the Asia Barometer Survey (2011–2019) and used Prof. Hu Fu's pro‐democratic value framework to analyze democratic values. Results The findings reveal that although younger generations demonstrate increased support for certain liberal democratic values, their overall orientation remains more consistent with the modern authoritarian values endorsed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The study further shows that the CCP's control over public discourse and selective promotion of specific values significantly shapes political attitudes across generations. Conclusion Despite notable economic development and generational shifts, the CCP continues to dominate the narrative on value change in China. This persistent control has not only stabilized the current political system but also limited the country's potential transition toward a liberal democratic regime.

Suggested Citation

  • Hsin‐Che Wu, 2025. "The Paradox of Progress: Modernization, Shifting Values, and the Persistence of Authoritarianism in China," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 106(3), May.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:106:y:2025:i:3:n:e70022
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.70022
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.70022
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/ssqu.70022?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:106:y:2025:i:3:n:e70022. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0038-4941 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.