Grievances, Resources, or the Internet? The Participation in Contentious Politics in Western China

Abstract

Extensive research on the Internet and China has adopted case study approach and focused on state censorship, digital activism, or one segment of the population. Cross-movement survey research has been rare, which would contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the paradoxical relationship between Internet, media use and political participation in China. Drawing on data from the MEADOW project, a large-scale random sample survey in 11 provinces in western China, this paper examined how Chinese citizens’ participation in appeal and petition was related to grievances, individual and network resources, and Internet and media use. Results suggested that grievances played an important role in contentious politics as citizens who experienced temporal relative deprivation, who had lower political trust, and whose community lacked public service and socioeconomic development were more likely to appeal or petition. Among various indictors of network resources, only network size was significantly and positively related to appeal or petition, while voluntary membership was significantly and negatively relate to appeal or petition. Except for radio listening, Internet and media use had no significant relationship with the participation in appeal or petition.