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Does Internet Use Affect Netizens’ Trust in Government? Empirical Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Haiyang Lu

    (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University)

  • Peishan Tong

    (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University)

  • Rong Zhu

    (Flinders University)

Abstract

Although the Internet has had a profound influence on China’s economy and society, the empirical research pertaining to political consequences of the Internet is highly sparse. This paper investigates the potential relationship between Internet use and trust in government of Chinese netizens. We find robust evidence of a significant positive effect of Internet use on trust in government of netizens in China. The beneficial impact of Internet use on trust in government is found to be heterogeneous across genders and age groups. We also find that the source of information plays a role in explaining Chinese netizens’ attitudes towards their governments. In addition, we find that the key mechanisms through which Internet use affects trust in government are the changes in netizens’ appraisal of government performance, deference to government authority and internal efficacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Haiyang Lu & Peishan Tong & Rong Zhu, 2020. "Does Internet Use Affect Netizens’ Trust in Government? Empirical Evidence from China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 149(1), pages 167-185, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:149:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-019-02247-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-019-02247-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Lingpeng Meng & Xiang Yu & Chuanfeng Han & Pihui Liu, 2022. "Does Internet Use Aggravate Public Distrust of Doctors? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Cuihong Long & Jiajun Han & Chengzhi Yi, 2020. "Does the Effect of Internet Use on Chinese Citizens’ Psychological Well-Being Differ Based on Their Hukou Category?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Yue Yin, 2022. "Understanding democratic perceptions and political participation among the younger generation in China's changing society: No news is good news for the Chinese government," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(5), pages 1168-1189, September.
    5. Haiyang Lu & Keya Zeng & Zhonggen Mao, 2023. "Perceptions of corporate social responsibilities and stakeholder engagement in the context of a disaster: A moderated mediation analysis from the perspective of consumer responses," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(6), pages 2873-2884, November.

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