Making the people’s voice heard: pathways of E-participative governance in China

The widespread use of information technology has reshaped the public sphere in the digital age, turning various online platforms into novel channels for civic participation. This article delves into the dynamics and political ramifications of China’s digital participatory policymaking from the perspective of state-society interactions. Based on extensive fieldwork spanning over three years in multiple localities across China, we identify and compare three distinct models of e-participative governance: disclosure, consultation, and deliberation. These models, initiated proactively by local governments in response to citizens’ critical demands, vary significantly in key aspects such as the level of institutionalization and the nature and extent of state-citizen interaction. While they have bolstered citizens’ political influence, these models have also enabled governments to solicit public opinions on local issues, enhance the quality of decision-making, and tactfully channeled increased civic activism into non-threatening areas. Our findings underscore the intricacies of China’s e-participative governance, providing valuable insights into understanding the country’s state-society relations in the digital age.