Weibo’s Influence on Collective Action Participation in China

Mgr. Hanwei Li, B.A.

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Using individual-level data collected from an online survey of Weibo users’ demographics and Weibo use patterns, this thesis examines whether Weibo use will affect their collective action. I find that Weibo is used by most people as an informational source, and that Weibo activists differ significantly in terms of Weibo use patterns, but not in terms of socio-demographic backgrounds. Informational use and Weibo use frequency will affect Weibo users’ collective action participation. However, Weibo activism use has no significant association with any form of collective action participation. The findings suggest that using Weibo is likely to increase users’ participation in online protest and Weibo-driven events; however, it has no predictability of involvement in boycotts and petitions. Weibo is principally promoting “slacktivism” among Chinese netizens. Weibo users are more likely to join in online protest instead of becoming involved in offline protest. I discuss these results in light of two focal problems: that Weibo’s limited offline protest mobilization impact is due to state-based constraints, and that online slacktivism still has an offline impact that challenges the authoritarian state and information control.

Keywords

Weibo, Collective Action, Weibo Activism, Slacktivism

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 21. 5. 2012

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 12. 6. 2012
• Supervisor: doc. Bernadette Nadya Jaworsky, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
Sociology / Sociology (Eng.)