Online Anticorruption in the People's Republic of China: Its Causes, Dynamic and Implications

Abstract

This thesis examines the phenomenon of online anticorruption in the People's Republic of China. It explores the factors that determine the process and outcome of this type of anticorruption activity. In contrast to existing literature which focuses on the functions and shortcomings of online anticorruption, and suggests that online anticorruption should be integrated into the China's existing anticorruption system, this thesis argues that the credibility, and thus the power of online anticorruption lies in its extra-institutional nature, and that attempts to institutionalize it can only diminish its power. This thesis employs the theory of contentious politics to examine online anticorruption. Contentious politics theory not only concerns the static institutional setting, but also the dynamic interactions between actors involved. The rationale, and emphasis, of the theory of contentious politics makes it an appropriate theory for studying and understanding online anticorruption in China. This thesis specifically pays attention to the framing of and opportunity structure for the online anticorruption; these two aspects covers the internal and external factors that determine the process and outcome of online anticorruption. Eight case studies are undertaken to support the argument and empirical analysis: the cases of Deng Yujiao; 'Sky-High Price' Cigarette; 'Sky-High Price' Maotai; 'Uncle House'; 'Uncle Watch'; 'My Father is Li Gang'; Luo Caixia; and the Wukan Event. On the one hand, the thesis deepens the application of the theory of contentious politics by examining the impact of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on the state-society relationship and, on the other hand, it sheds light on the development of corruption and anticorruption by echoing the idea that society should, and can, play a role in checking the operation of public power, and demonstrating how the Internet allows ordinary Chinese citizens to frame their actions and take advantage of a political structure in ...