Population Distribution, Interethnic Contact, and Social Distance: An Empirical Analysis of Ethnic Relations in Rural China

• In Event: 21061 - Section on Race, Gender, and Class Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Political Ideologies, Action, and Movements

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing interethnic social distance in rural China, focusing on Yunnan Province. Using data from the China Rural Social Survey (CRSS), the research analyzes the roles of individual attributes, interethnic contact frequency, and population distribution in shaping social distance between ethnic groups. Findings show that men, older adults, individuals with higher education, and younger generations exhibit lower social distance, while increased interethnic contact significantly reduces social distance. Population distribution also plays a crucial role, with moderate proportions of ethnic minorities (45%-69%) fostering better intergroup relations, whereas skewed proportions hinder integration. Additionally, village typology, particularly in mountainous areas with limited access to resources, exacerbates social distance. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of interethnic relations by integrating demographic factors with contact theory and introduces a bidirectional, multi-target approach to measuring social distance, addressing the limitations of traditional models. The findings provide empirical insights for optimizing ethnic integration policies and highlight the need for further research on the psychological mechanisms that mediate the effects of contact and demographic structure on social distance.

Author

• Maocan Guo, Yunnan University