A Chinese Popularity Function: Sources of Government Support

The notion of a Chinese popularity function may seem surprising, given its authoritarian nature. However, exploring the possibility of indirect popularity functions in nondemocratic systems, we articulate a model of national government support in China. The model argues that sociodemographics, polit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Political research quarterly 2014-03, Vol.67 (1), p.16-25
Main Authors: Lewis-Beck, Michael S., Tang, Wenfang, Martini, Nicholas F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism (Political Ideology)
Central Government
China
China (People's Republic)
County governments
Economic models
Government
Government performance
Investigation
Liberalism
Local government
National government
Peoples Republic of China
Political Attitudes
Political behavior
Political power
Political support
Politics
Public Opinion
Regional Differences
Satisfaction
Sociodemographic Factors
Standard deviation
Statistical analysis
Studies
Success
Surveys
Trust in government
Variables
Voting
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:The notion of a Chinese popularity function may seem surprising, given its authoritarian nature. However, exploring the possibility of indirect popularity functions in nondemocratic systems, we articulate a model of national government support in China. The model argues that sociodemographics, political attitudes, and performance issues mold central government satisfaction. Drawing on a countrywide 2008 public opinion survey, we conclude that regional differences, national trust, and local policy success are of special importance in shaping national government support. The findings, which exhibit theoretical and statistical appeal, lay the groundwork for further investigation of popularity functions in China.
ISSN:1065-9129
1938-274X
DOI:10.1177/1065912913486196