Does Affluence Influence Authoritarian Responsiveness? Evidence from Urban China

73 Pages Posted: 8 Nov 2022 Last revised: 28 Mar 2025

See all articles by Jiawei Fu

Jiawei Fu

New York University (NYU) - New York University

Zeren Li

National University of Singapore

Haibing Yan

East China University of Political Science and Law

Date Written: March 28, 2025

Abstract

While research on advanced democracies highlights unequal political responsiveness favoring the affluent, less is known about such bias in authoritarian regimes without competitive elections. This paper analyzes how wealth affects bureaucratic responsiveness in an authoritarian context. By matching administrative data on municipal service records with apartment complex-level housing prices in downtown Shanghai, we show mixed findings on unequal responsiveness. Local governments resolve issues faster for residents in wealthier areas, which indicates a priority bias. However, residents in poorer areas receive equally positive resolutions as those in richer neighborhoods. Using interviews and a formal model, we interpret these mixed findings as an outcome of the dual mandates street-level bureaucrats face: efficiency pressure and social stability concerns.

Keywords: Government Responsiveness, Bureaucracy, Housing Price, Authoritarianism, China, Inequality

Suggested Citation

Fu, Jiawei and Li, Zeren and Yan, Haibing, Does Affluence Influence Authoritarian Responsiveness? Evidence from Urban China (March 28, 2025). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4253200 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4253200

Jiawei Fu

New York University (NYU) - New York University

Bobst Library, E-resource Acquisitions
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New York, NY 10003-711
United States

Zeren Li (Contact Author)

National University of Singapore ( email )

Singapore, 129791
Singapore

Haibing Yan

East China University of Political Science and Law ( email )

Shanghai
China

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