Abstract
This paper extends Guobin Yang’s 2003 seminal article on the co-evolution of the Internet and civil society in China. It argues the Internet has both facilitated the growth of civic spaces and empowered authoritarianism. Not only has the Internet amplified civic discourses and group formations, it also has augmented the influence of the authoritarian state as well as uncivil interactions online, leading to a greater degree of fragmentation and cynicism of public opinion. Although social media platforms such as the Twitter-like Sina Weibo can serve as a critical space for expressing and channeling public opinion, especially during times of crisis, they are unlikely to be the ultimate game changer.
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