Contemporary E-government in China: Investigating state citizen relations, interactions and power dynamics

Bao, Lele 2023. Contemporary E-government in China: Investigating state citizen relations, interactions and power dynamics. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 22 February 2025 due to copyright restrictions. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (2MB)
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (123kB)

Abstract

This thesis considers how the use of e-government in China impacts public relations and communications between the public and government. The thesis discusses an investigation into e-government uses in a third-tier city, Xiangyang in central China. Research and analysis of the Xiangyang e-government project shows that e-government plays a different role in China than in democratic countries. The democratic attributes, public participation and empowerment often attached to e-government initiatives have been deliberately avoided by the Chinese government’s use of e-government. I argue that in order to maintain the longevity and stability of the CCP and the government regime more generally, e-government is used to a greater extent in Xiangyang as a tool for propagating CCP ideologies, so as to maintain the authority of the government and the stability of society. The analysis of one of Xiangyang’s e-government initiatives, the Interactive Platform shows that due to the deep-rooted government bureaucratic culture and pyramid-like government architecture, the usability, practicality, and efficiency of e-government are still low. Moreover, the central government’s stated hope of transforming into a service-oriented government with the help of e-government still has a long way to go. Drawing on results from a questionnaire responded to by Xiangyang citizens, my findings indicate that e-government brings convenience for citizens by making it easier to obtain local information. E-government also promotes the relationship between the government and citizens to a certain extent, especially during the lockdown period. However, plenty of positive energy news published on the government website and its social media is trying to change and unify the public’s preference for news consumption. This seems to be a discipline of the public thought. My conclusion is that the functions and nature of e-government in China are tailored by the government for social management, and it is inclined to be a tool built to achieve the government’s goals.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Journalism, Media and Culture
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 February 2024
Last Modified:	23 Feb 2024 14:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/166499

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item