Social Influence and Government Responsiveness in China: Evidence from the Revision of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard

Abstract

Abstract: Previous scholarship on state–society relations in China reveals that despite tight control, the government shows great resilience in responding to social demands. These findings, however, are inadequate to explain phenomena of change in government responses within a short period. Drawing on evidence from China's Revision of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, this article argues that the final outcome is influenced largely by whether society is able to forge a consensus by accurately employing the rhetoric embedded in the thoughts of various groups and the network of grassroots non-governmental organisations. Moreover, while past studies have focused primarily on state domination, this article also finds that many bottom-up elements influence nationwide policy revisions.