Understanding Avoidance of Political Discussions in an Autocratizing Society

Bibliographic Data

ID7156519
AuthorsChun Hong Tse (0000-0002-8549-928X, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Wisconsin, US, The University of Wisconsin–Madison), Francis Lee (0000-0003-1587-4950, School of Journalism and Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin , SAR)
Year2025
Volume37
Issue2
Publication date2025-03-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Public Opinion Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-2892 • E-ISSN: 1471-6909
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/ijpor/edaf013
OpenAlexW4409233280
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited45

People living in authoritarian or autocratizing societies may have to refrain from expressing their genuine political views to avoid troubles. Besides preference falsification, some may simply refrain from engaging in political expressions and discussions. This study aims at understanding avoidance of political discussions in an autocratizing society. It posits perceptions of legal and social risks, political frustration, political orientation, and secondary control as possible predictors of avoidance of political discussions. A survey of citizens in post-National Security Law Hong Kong shows that pro-democracy citizens in Hong Kong are more likely to perceive the presence of social and legal risks. They are also more likely to feel frustrated by the political environment. Perceived social risks significantly predict avoidance of political discussions, and the relationship is stronger among people with higher levels of secondary control. Implications of the findings are discussed

Environmental ethics · Political science · Politics · Media Influence and Politics · Social Media and Politics · Law · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOI