Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
6-22-2022
Abstract
Drawing on the resource theory of political participation, we compare the determinants of Internet-based e-participation and conventional offline political participation in China by employing data from an original survey conducted in 2013. We find that e-government and other online platforms provide more equal participation opportunities to Chinese citizens traditionally lacking political resources. Although non-party members and non-elites are disadvantaged in conventional offline participation, they are not in e-participation, especially through using e-government systems. Internet/computer access and Internet skills push individuals away from conventional offline participation, and frequent social media users are more likely to engage in e-participation. Taken together, these results suggest that e-government and other online platforms offer the genuine potential to expand the scope of participation and empowers those traditionally disadvantaged in China.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Chinese Public Administration Review
Volume
13
Issue
3
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Xu, P., Johnson, K., & Rundlett, A. (2022). E-participation in contemporary China: A comparison with conventional offline participation. Chinese Public Administration Review, 13(3), 150–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/15396754221107115
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