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Anti-corruption Efforts, Corruption Perception and Public Evaluation of Local Governments in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2025

Zhou Zhou ,
Yangxuan Zhou ,
Meng Yuan  and
Anni Tang
Zhou Zhou
Affiliation:
School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Yangxuan Zhou
Affiliation:
School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Meng Yuan*
Affiliation:
School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Anni Tang
Affiliation:
School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
*
Corresponding author: Meng Yuan; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

China has taken significant steps to combat corruption since the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, whether and how the anti-corruption efforts influence the public's evaluation of local government performance remain understudied. Using multiple data sources, including panel survey data taken from the China Family Panel Studies from 2010 to 2018, this research examines how anti-corruption efforts improve evaluations of local government performance by reducing public perception of existing corruption. Additional analysis reveals that anti-corruption efforts reduce perceived corruption primarily when the public trusts officials or has had positive experiences with them. The positive impact on local government evaluations has been more pronounced in provinces with high levels of pre-existing corruption and since the 18th CCP National Congress in 2012. Moreover, the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts has remained consistent across all time periods since 2012.

摘要

摘要

自中国共产党第十八次全国代表大会以来，中国在反腐败方面做出了显著努力。然而，反腐败努力是否以及如何影响地方政府绩效评价仍未得到充分研究。通过利用 2010 年至 2018 年中国家庭追踪调查（CFPS）在内的多种数据来源，本研究考察了反腐败工作如何通过减少公众所感知的现存腐败程度来提升公众对地方政府绩效的评价。本研究的进一步分析表明，当公众信任官员或与他们有积极互动时，反腐败努力减少了公众感知的现存腐败程度。在腐败程度较高的省份以及 2012 年中国共产党第十八次全国代表大会之后，反腐败努力对地方政府评价的正面影响更为显著。此外，反腐败努力的有效性在 2012 年以后的所有时间段内保持一致。

Keywords

anti-corruption effortspublic evaluationpublic perception of corruptionpolicy feedback effectpublic opinion反腐败努力公众评价公众腐败感知政策反馈效应公共舆论
Type
Research Article
Information
The China Quarterly , First View , pp. 1 - 20
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of SOAS University of London

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