Does Formal Education Promote Voting in Grassroots Democratic Elections? Evidence From China

• In Event: Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: Division L Section 7 Poster Session

Abstract

In the course of China’s construction of a civil society, political participation is of critical importance. Theoretical studies have shown that improvement of citizens’ formal education level should promote political participation. However, few empirical studies on the relationship between school education and political participation have been conducted in China. Using nationally representative survey data and the political socialization theory, the authors find that an individual’s school education level is negatively correlated with his or her likelihood of voting and some other relevant political participation behaviours. The results are robust according to instrumental variable estimates. The authors interpret these results from the perspectives of politics of civic education in Chinese educational context and present suggestions for the policy makers.

Authors

• Lei Zheng, Beijing Normal University

• Zhiyong Zhu, Beijing Normal University