Public Participation in China's State-Created ICT Spaces: Explaining Participation Patterns
Rabe W, Bondes M, Abels CM, Kostka G (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
DOI: 10.1111/rego.70090
Abstract
It has become commonplace for non-democratic regimes to integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into their governance system. However, how citizens make use of these new digital opportunities in an authoritarian setting remains understudied. Based on an online survey in China in 2021, we find that a surprisingly large share of Chinese citizens engages with the new ICT-based participatory venues. But ICTs seem to unfold their potential only for certain groups such as tech-savvy younger citizens with a higher income. Moreover, while citizens seem to be quite aware of the risks of using ICTs, such as data security breaches or digital surveillance, these do not seem to hamper participation. Rather, citizens trade off perceived risks for perceived benefits, such as higher levels of convenience, efficiency, or expected government responsiveness. Our study contributes to the literature on digital governance in authoritarian regimes, and the digital divide and technology acceptance literatures. Moreover, amid the tightening of political control in China, it offers insights into participatory developments under Xi Jinping.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Universität Potsdam
Germany (DE)
Universität Bremen
Germany (DE)
Freie Universität Berlin
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Universität Bremen
Germany (DE)
Freie Universität Berlin
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Rabe, W., Bondes, M., Abels, C.M., & Kostka, G. (2025). Public Participation in China's State-Created ICT Spaces: Explaining Participation Patterns. Regulation & Governance. https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.70090
MLA:
Rabe, Wiebke, et al. "Public Participation in China's State-Created ICT Spaces: Explaining Participation Patterns." Regulation & Governance (2025).
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