The main thesis of this study is that the cause of Internet-induced authoritarian responsiveness (as in the cases of Sun Zhigang and Li Qiming) is the necessity to maintain the Party’s legitimacy. Both those issues cover social problems that pose a big problem for China.
The state by responding to them and accommodating the citizen's demands, reinforces its legitimacy. Drawing on the crucial terms and notions for this study (authoritarian responsiveness, internet-induced, and legitimacy), this work will present step by step, after defining key terms one after another, how they connect to create a new term- internet-induced authoritarian responsiveness. First, I will explain authoritarian responsiveness and the different types of it that some research is pointing at.
Then this study will shortly present crucial points for the understanding of (Chinese) state legitimacy. Next, I will Illuminate the
never-ending “mouse-and-cat” game between China’s sophisticated censorship and the Netizens, who are being named “the new opinion class”. After that, I will present two case studies of Sun Zhigang and Li Qiming and show how they are exemplary instances of the above-mentioned terms and the social issues that they represent.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Research Question and Methodology
1.2. Literature Review
1.3. Ethical Issues
2. Authoritarian Responsiveness
3. Party’s Legitimacy
4. Virtual China
5. The Case Studies of Sun Zhigang and Li Qiming
3.4. The Case of Sun Zhigang
3.5. The Case of Li Qiming
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This study explores the phenomenon of "internet-induced authoritarian responsiveness" in China, examining how the ruling party addresses public opinion expressed online to reinforce its legitimacy. It investigates the dynamics between state censorship and netizen activism, using two prominent case studies to illustrate how the state manages significant social issues to maintain control and political stability.
- Mechanisms of authoritarian responsiveness in the digital age.
- The evolution of regime legitimacy beyond economic performance.
- The "mouse-and-cat" interaction between Chinese netizens and the state.
- Analysis of the Sun Zhigang and Li Qiming cases as tools for policy adaptation.
- The role of the internet in shaping domestic political responses.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1. The Case of Sun Zhigang.
In April 2003 Sun Zhigang, a graduate of a university, but a migrant from Hubei, who was also working in Guangzhou, was detained by the police because he didn’t have at that time his temporary residential card (Chi:2012, Gao:2020, Hand: 2009 Hassid:2015, Qiaoan et al.:2019, Zhang:2010, Zhu:2006, Zhu:2008). Under the Custody and Repatriation law, he was sent to one of the Guanghzhous C&R detention centers for internal migrants, where soon was beaten to death (Chi:2012, Gao:2020,Hand:2009, Hassid:2015, Zhang:2010, Zhu:2006, Zhu:2008). The officials and police first tried to cover up the issues (Zhu:2006). His family however posted his tragic story online (Hassid:2015), which was discovered by a journalist and published in one of China’s most popular newspapers Southern Metropolis Daily (Gao:2020, Hand:2009, Hassid:2015, Zhang:2010, Zhu:2006), under the title “Who should be responsible for a citizen’s abnormal death?” (Zhu:2010). The news of his story spread throughout the country and caused anger and condemnation (Hassid:2015, Zhu:2006). After publishing the story in the newspaper, the Sun Zhigangs case also took the Internet by storm (Gao:2020, Hand:2009, Hassid:2015, Qiaoan et al.:2019, Zhang:2010, Zhu:2006).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the research context regarding Chinese political legitimacy and defines the core concept of internet-induced authoritarian responsiveness.
2. Authoritarian Responsiveness: Reviews how authoritarian regimes, specifically in China, respond to citizen demands and public outcry through formal and informal channels.
3. Party’s Legitimacy: Discusses the transition of the Chinese Communist Party's legitimacy sources from ideology and mere economic growth to good governance and social stability.
4. Virtual China: Analyzes the struggle between state censorship and the "new opinion class" of netizens on the Chinese internet.
5. The Case Studies of Sun Zhigang and Li Qiming: Details two specific incidents where online activism forced the state to respond, highlighting broader issues of social injustice and policy reform.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes findings, confirming that responding to social crises is a strategic mechanism for the Party to maintain its mandate to rule.
Keywords
Authoritarian responsiveness, China, Internet, Legitimacy, Sun Zhigang, Li Qiming, Censorship, Netizens, Digital governance, Social instability, Political reform, Public opinion, Custody and Repatriation Law, Online activism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The work examines how the Chinese government utilizes "internet-induced authoritarian responsiveness" to address public concerns and maintain political legitimacy in a changing digital landscape.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The study centers on the intersection of internet activism, state censorship, party legitimacy, and the government's strategic response to social issues.
What is the primary research goal?
The objective is to demonstrate that the Chinese state's responsiveness to online outcry serves as a tool for political survival rather than a precursor to democratization.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a qualitative case study approach, analyzing the specific events of Sun Zhigang and Li Qiming to provide empirical evidence for the theory of authoritarian responsiveness.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers theoretical definitions of legitimacy, the dynamics of the Chinese blogosphere, the structure of government responsiveness, and a detailed analysis of two landmark case studies.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include authoritarian responsiveness, Chinese internet, legitimacy, grassroots activism, and policy adaptation.
How does the Sun Zhigang case exemplify internal policy change?
The case resulted in the abolition of the controversial Custody and Repatriation Law, illustrating how massive online backlash can force the state to overturn oppressive administrative policies.
What motivated the state's response in the case of Li Qiming?
The state intervened to punish Li Qiming after he became a symbol of social inequality and abuse of power, aiming to quell public anger and reinforce perceptions of legal justice.
- Quote paper
- Katarzyna Skorska (Author), 2024, Internet-induced authoritarian responsiveness. The comparison of Sun Zhigang’s and Li Qiming's case studies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1508658
