Nationalism and Common Prosperity: The Impact of Ideological Symbiosis on Redistributive Preferences in China

Rising economic inequality often fuels demands for redistribution among citizens and may challenge regime stability. Conventional wisdom suggests that the regime can mobilize nationalism to divert citizens' attention from inequality and delegitimize their demands for redistribution. In China, both inequality and nationalism have risen sharply in recent decades. This dissertation asks: Does the Chinese government leverage nationalism to divert attention from inequality? Is economic inequality positively associated with nationalism? And are nationalists less likely to support government redistribution? To address these questions, I develop a novel theory of ideological symbiosis to explain the relationship between nationalism and redistributive preferences in China. I argue that the regime has promoted a symbiosis between nationalism and socialism to sustain its legitimacy. Nationalists embrace this symbiosis, and thus, they are more likely to support government redistribution. While economic prosperity and social fairness contribute to Chinese citizens' acceptance of this symbiosis, economic inequality makes it less appealing. Citizens also interpret nationalism in a way that aligns with their interests. Therefore, the positive effects of nationalism on redistributive support are larger among those who benefit more from government redistribution. I trace the evolution of ideological symbiosis in China and, through a thematic analysis of Chinese leaders’ New Year addresses, show that socialist orientations have been consistently embedded in their nation-building efforts. Drawing on data from the 2021 wave China Social Survey, my quantitative analysis reveals that perceived positive economic evaluation and social fairness are positively correlated with nationalism, while economic inequality shows a negative correlation. I also find that citizens with higher levels of nationalism are more likely to support government redistribution. Furthermore, the positive effect of nationalism on redistributive support is larger among older generations and among those who perceive current social security provisions as low. This study contributes to scholarship on nationalism and redistributive preferences. This study offers important implications for the regime's legitimacy.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Kansas

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Liu, Rigao

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kennedy, John

• Political science
• China
• Ideological Symbiosis
• Nationalism
• Redistributive Preferences

Statement dc:rights

• This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

https://www.proquest.com/LegacyDocView/DISSNUM/32113724

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kuscholarworks.ku.edu:1808/37925