In:
African and Asian Studies, Brill, Vol. 14, No. 4 ( 2015-12-8), p. 315-336
Abstract:
Existing studies have traced China’s high political trust to three sources: traditional culture, the state’s success in fostering economic growth, and ideological propaganda. We identify a fourth source: perceived social mobility. We argue that when people perceive a reasonable chance for upward mobility based on personal initiatives and efforts, the status quo becomes more justifiable because individuals are responsible for their own successes and failures. Perceived social mobility thus instills a sense of optimism and fairness and exonerates the regime from many blames, thereby enhancing political trust. Regression analysis of the China portion of the 2007 World Values Survey data shows that respondents who saw themselves as having choices and control in life were indeed more likely to trust the ruling communist party. The respondents’ overall level of perceived social mobility is also high, which is consistent with the massive shake-up of the preexisting social order in China’s reform era.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1569-2094
,
1569-2108
DOI:
10.1163/15692108-12341347
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Brill
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2087004-8
SSG:
0
SSG:
6,24
SSG:
6,31
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