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Panacea or Pandora’s box: diverse governance strategies for conspiracy theories and their consequences in China

Author

Listed:
  • Ming Ma

    (Freie Universität Berlin)

  • Feng Han

    (London School of Economics and Political Science)

  • Chuyao Wang

    (London School of Economics and Political Science
    London School of Economics and Political Science)

Abstract

This study examines the Chinese government’s strategies for managing conspiracy theories (CTs) on social media. While previous research has primarily considered how authoritarian regimes disseminate CTs for political purposes and has often viewed the public as fully receptive to propaganda and easily manipulated, our research explores a broader spectrum of state strategies including propagation, tolerance, and partial rebuttal. Based on social network analysis, topic modeling, and qualitative analysis of 46,387 Weibo posts from 3 cases, we argue that the Chinese government’s manipulation of CTs is multifaceted and carries significant audience costs. Our findings indicate that state-led CTs can indeed mobilize public opinion, but they also risk expanding beyond state control, which can lead to unintended consequences that may undermine state interests and limit policy flexibility. This research contributes to our understanding of the tactical and operational complexities authoritarian regimes face when leveraging CTs, while highlighting the intricate balance between state control and public agency.

Suggested Citation

  • Ming Ma & Feng Han & Chuyao Wang, 2025. "Panacea or Pandora’s box: diverse governance strategies for conspiracy theories and their consequences in China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-04350-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-04350-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pan, Jennifer & Shao, Zijie & Xu, Yiqing, 2022. "How government-controlled media shifts policy attitudes through framing," Political Science Research and Methods, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(2), pages 317-332, April.
    2. King, Gary & Pan, Jennifer & Roberts, Margaret E., 2013. "How Censorship in China Allows Government Criticism but Silences Collective Expression," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 107(2), pages 326-343, May.
    3. King, Gary & Pan, Jennifer & Roberts, Margaret E., 2017. "How the Chinese Government Fabricates Social Media Posts for Strategic Distraction, Not Engaged Argument," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 111(3), pages 484-501, August.
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