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Abstract
Abstract: This study examines the dynamics of online collective action in China by testing the relevance of Mancur Olson’s theory of collective action in the digital realm. Employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates quantitative data analysis from the Chinese General Social Survey and a 2022 high-profile assault event in Tangshan, Hebei province, as a case study, the authors find that digital media, particularly through its informational role, significantly stimulates online collective actions. The mechanism analysis in this article indicates that free-riding opportunities and perceived political efficacy mediate participation. Despite the nuances and new manifestations of the free-rider dilemma, the core principles of Olson’s logic remain applicable to the digital world.
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