Social policies, public preference, and government approval:

Evidence from China

主讲人：杨锋，北京大学社会研究中心助理教授

主持人：（国发院）李力行，席天扬，徐化愚，于航，王轩

               （经院）刘冲

时间：2022年5月11日下午：14:00-15:30

地点：线上腾讯会议，会议号：267329383

Abstract ：

Existing studies hold that social policies sustain authoritarian survival because they channel tangible material benefits—such as subsidies, tax cuts, and public goods—to crucial segments of society. Differently, this research highlights that social policies may signal to the public that the government caters to their preference, enabling these policies to have a broader effect beyond the often small “bought-off” groups. Making use of the gradual expansion of social pensions in China, we analyze public opinion data to document an overall increase of government approval associated with the expansion. Interestingly, the positive effect is most substantial among those who prefer more redistribution, but less so among potential beneficiaries of the social pensions. Thus, the signaling function of social policies may outweigh loyalty buying.

主讲人简介：

杨锋，加州大学洛杉矶分校（UCLA）政治学博士（2019），北京大学-普林斯顿大学联合博后（2019-2021），现任北京大学社会研究中心助理教授、研究员。主要研究方向为比较政治学和政治经济学。论文发表于Journal of Theoretical Politics、International Studies Review等期刊。