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The Impact of Economic Coercion on Public Opinion: The Case of US–China Currency Relations

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  • Dimitar Gueorguiev
  • Daniel McDowell
  • David A. Steinberg

Abstract

In recent years, the United States has increasingly tried to change other governments’ economic policies by threatening to punish those countries if they do not change course. To better understand the political consequences of these tactics, this paper examines how external threats influence public support for policy change in targeted states. We consider three mechanisms through which economic coercion might alter public opinion: by changing individuals’ interests , by activating their national identities , and by providing them with new information about a policy’s distributive effects. To test these rival explanations, we focus on the case of China–US currency relations. Using data from a survey experiment of Chinese internet users, we find strong support for the informational updating theory. Our evidence suggests that economic coercion can reduce support for policy change because it leads individuals to update their beliefs about who wins and loses from economic policy changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitar Gueorguiev & Daniel McDowell & David A. Steinberg, 2020. "The Impact of Economic Coercion on Public Opinion: The Case of US–China Currency Relations," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 64(9), pages 1555-1583, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:64:y:2020:i:9:p:1555-1583
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002720912323
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. David A. Steinberg & Yeling Tan, 2023. "Public responses to foreign protectionism: Evidence from the US-China trade war," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 145-167, January.
    2. Asif Efrat & Omer Yair, 2023. "International rankings and public opinion: Compliance, dismissal, or backlash?," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 607-629, October.
    3. Omer Zarpli, 2023. "When Do Imposed Sanctions Work? The Role of Target Regime Type," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 67(7-8), pages 1482-1509, August.

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