A Path to Critical Citizenship? Evidence from a Panel Study among Chinese Students Studying in Taiwan

Chia-chou Wang

《Taiwan Journal of Democracy》 15卷2期 (2019/12) Pp. 57-85

摘要

This study explores whether political socialization in Taiwan affects the political attitudes of Chinese students who study in Taiwan, transforming them into critical citizens. A panel study was conducted to examine the level of change in institutional trust in the Communist Party of China, the central government, and the military among Chinese students studying in Taiwan, and to explain change based on political socialization theory and social contact theory. This study found that, after living and studying in Taiwan for four months, Chinese students gradually became critical citizens. Their degree of trust in the institutions of China decreased an average of 0.37 (7.64 percent). Factors that led to a decrease in institutional trust among the Chinese students were visiting a local government agency in Taiwan, visiting the National Palace Museum, frequently interacting with Taiwanese friends, attending the flag-raising ceremony on New Year's Day, having a more negative evaluation of the CPC's performance, and having a decreased preference for the Chinese government. According to the study's findings, if we wish to change the level of trust toward Chinese institutions among Chinese students studying in Taiwan, the following four approaches may be effective: publicize government performance; encourage cross-Strait friendships; encourage discussions among peers; and avoid cross-Strait confrontations.

關鍵字

Casual contact ； institutional trust ； lifelong openness model ； political learning ； true acquaintances

參考文獻

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