Understanding generational shifts and democratic support in China : value change vs. life satisfaction

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Chen, Jie and Huhe, Narisong and Lin, Zeteng (2025) Understanding generational shifts and democratic support in China : value change vs. life satisfaction. Journal of Contemporary China. pp. 1-18. ISSN 1067-0564 (https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2025.2597751)

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Abstract

Generational change is often viewed as a key driver of major sociopolitical transformation, yet there is little consensus on why generations differ in their political attitudes. This lack of agreement poses a particular challenge in studying generational effects in China, a society experiencing rapid social and political change. This study examines two theoretical perspectives—the value-change and life-satisfaction approaches—to explain generational differences in democratic support. Using data from a recent nationwide survey, we identify two major cohorts in China: the pre-economic takeoff and post-economic takeoff generations. The empirical evidence supports the life-satisfaction approach, suggesting that democratic support in China is shaped more by generational differences in perceived material well-being than by fundamental value change.

ORCID iDs

Chen, Jie, Huhe, Narisong ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0875-3029 and Lin, Zeteng;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)