The Cultural Logic of Politics in Mainland China and Taiwan

This book uses surveys, statistics, and case studies to explain why and how cultural norms affect political attitudes and behavior.

Tianjian Shi (Author)

9781316608463, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 January 2020

315 pages, 49 b/w illus. 46 tables
23 x 15 x 1.7 cm, 0.45 kg

'The book has many strong points. Especially noteworthy is its extensive discussion of how to think about culture as influencing both attitudes and behavior. A second strength is the close fit between the theoretical discussion and the empirical analyses that follow.' Fritz Gaenslen, Journal of Chinese Political Science

Tianjian Shi shows how cultural norms affect political attitudes and behavior through two causal pathways, one at the individual level and one at the community level. Focusing on two key norms - definition of self-interest and orientation to authority - he tests the theory with multiple surveys conducted in mainland China and Taiwan. Shi employs multi-level statistical analysis to show how, in these two very different political systems, similar norms exert similar kinds of influence on political trust, understanding of democracy, forms of political participation, and tolerance for protest. The approach helps to explain the resilience of authoritarian politics in China and the dissatisfaction of many Taiwan residents with democratic institutions. Aiming to place the study of political culture on a new theoretical and methodological foundation, Shi argues that a truly comparative social science must understand how culturally embedded norms influence decision making.

Part I. Theory of Popular Culture: 1. Political culture theory and regime stability
2. Cultural norms in the East and West
3. Measuring cultural norms in mainland China and Taiwan
4. The relationship among culture, structure, and institutions
Part II. Culture's Impacts on Politics: 5. The impact of culture on political trust
6. Cultural impacts on political participation
7. Cultural impacts on people's understanding of democracy
8. Conclusion and theoretical reflection.

Subject Areas: Regional government [JPR], Political ideologies [JPF], Comparative politics [JPB], Political science & theory [JPA], Politics & government [JP], Sociology: customs & traditions [JHBT], Population & demography [JHBD]