The Legacy of Mass Mobilization: Political Engagement in Rural China

• In Event: 30807 - The Consequences of Collective Action

Abstract

Mass mobilization serves as a transformative force, reshaping governance structures, challenging entrenched hierarchies, and redefining state-society relations. Beyond altering political systems, it profoundly impacts individuals, fostering enduring changes in political identities and behaviors. In this study, we examine the causal effect of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) on political engagement among Chinese rural residents. Using a series of nationally representative surveys, we apply a difference-in-differences strategy to compare individuals exposed to the Cultural Revolution at different ages, with varying levels of exposure, across regions characterized by different intensities of the movement. The mass mobilization instilled political efficacy that has persisted throughout individuals' lives and fostered a belief in the responsiveness of local governments. As a result, these individuals exhibit significantly higher levels of political engagements. The mobilized political preference not only persists nearly half a century after the mobilization, but has also been transmitted to subsequent generations, serving as longstanding social facts. These findings underscore the enduring legacy of mass mobilization in shaping political engagement, even within authoritarian regimes, highlighting its role in fostering sustained civic engagement despite constraints on democratic freedoms.

Authors

• Lang Luo, Center for Social Research at Peking Univ

• Matthew Chan, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University