Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2010, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (2): 178-197.

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The Internet and Contentious Actions: Theoretical Models, the China Experience, and Future Research Directions

Huang Ronggui,Departement of Public and Social Administration,City University   

  1. Huang Ronggui,Departement of Public and Social Administration,City University
  • Online:2010-03-20 Published:2010-03-20
  • Supported by:

    This research was suupported by 2006 “Dawn” program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission & Shanghai Education Development Foundation; and supported by Humanities & Social Sciances Research Annual Program Foundation of Ministry of Education of PRC (05JA840004), and National Social Science Foundation (05CSH017).

Abstract:

 With a significant impact of the Internet on contentious actions, studies on this topic have been burgeoning. However, these studies are scattered across different disciplines, resulting in a lack of a coherent interdisciplinary theoretical framework, which has hindered further development in this research field. This paper reviews the relevant studies and classifies three theoretical models regarding the Internet influencing contentious actions. In addition, with a review of the research findings in the Chinese contexts including the Internet and contentious actions and the development of civic society, the author presents a brief discussion on the directions of future research.

Key words: earnings inequality, education, homogamy, permutation test, contention ,  the Internet , mobilization ,  structure