The Origin of Communities in Authoritarian Cities: Theory and Evidence from China
Abstract: This study offerss a unique mixed-method investigation of the origin of self-governed neighborhood communities in authoritarian China’s megacities. We find a prevalent collective action problem with respect to neighborhood self-governance, but so too do we present evidence that the local government helps homeowners overcome this problem and govern themselves more effectively. Our data also reveal that democratized neighborhoods have better governing outcomes than do non-democratized ones, as evidenced by more effective homeowner control over neighborhood affairs, greater respect for democratic principles, and a higher degree of community identity. Owing to these positive outcomes, homeowner activists in democratized neighborhoods develop deeper trust in their local government than do their counterparts in non-democratized neighborhoods. Most pointedly, we find an authoritarian regime may genuinely support neighborhood self-governance in the interest of building political trust, thereby complicating the conventional view that such regimes either repress civic engagement or manipulate civic organizations for political control.
