Beyond a single pole: exploring the nuanced coexistence of scientific elitism and populism in China

The rise of scientific populism has become a global issue, but research on the coexistence of scientific elitism and scientific populism, especially in East Asian societies, is still limited. Based on a large-scale online survey conducted in the Chinese mainland in 2023 (N = 2922), this study explores the tendencies towards scientific elitism, scientific populism, and scientific pluralism among different groups in Chinese society. The results show that Chinese women tend to have a more conservative view of scientists, with no clear inclination towards elitism or populism. People with middle income and education levels show a dual tendency, supporting both elitist views and populism, and even leaning towards pluralistic attitudes. The “initial construction generation,” has a more negative view of scientific elitism and tends towards extreme populism, while the “new century generation” shows less deference for elitism and a stronger populist tendency. The study also finds that the interaction between post-materialist values and interest in science significantly shapes attitudes towards scientists. Social media, especially short-video platforms, plays an important role in promoting scientific populism and its more extreme forms. This study emphasizes the need to account for the diversity and complexity of attitudes across different social groups when developing science communication strategies.