Toward a Rational Ideology: Patriotism, Democratic Attitudes, and Xenophobia Among Chinese College Students

The political ideology of Chinese people has been the focus of debate in Western countries. In this study, we investigate how Chinese college students’ political ideology measured by patriotism, democratic attitudes, and xenophobia is affected by their socio-economic status. With data from the Chinese College Students’ Work, Life, and Value Survey 2017, our empirical analyses yield three main findings. First, we find the socio-economic advantaged individual is less patriotic. Second, the less patriotism does not mean the socio-economic advantaged individuals in China are more favorable toward the Western political system. They actually are more likely to vote against the freedom of expression and the multi-party system. Third, we also find the socio-economic advantaged individual in China is more likely to advocate the free market and against economy tariffs. Overall, our empirical study reveals a rational political ideology of Chinese elites.