Shortening the Distance between Government and Public in China II: Methods and Practices (China Perspectives)

By: Liu Xiaoyan

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Synopsis: The concept of Distance, in its traditional sense, connotes "estrangement" and "division", but in the context of modern political studies, it denotes a controllable resource which can be manipulated to change the relationship between the government and the public. Drawing on the key concept of Distance from western political science, the author explores the law and mechanisms of China’s political communication. In this volume, the author conducts an empirical investigation of the distance between the government and the public in China. First, it discusses how the use of online social media, such as Weibo, can be used strategically to mediate the distance of offline communication. Then, it points out that social media can also lead to unlimited expression of general will, to which governments should pay attention. An empirical study of how the residents of five rural provinces in China obtain political information is used to illustrate the point. Students and scholars who are interested in political science and political communication, especially Chinese politics, will find this title a useful reference.