Peer effects in electoral participation: Evidence from a heterogeneous social network in rural China

Hang Fang (), Ting Yu () and Qianheng Qian ()
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Hang Fang: Anhui Agricultural University
Ting Yu: Anhui Agricultural University
Qianheng Qian: China Agricultural University

Economics Bulletin, 2025, vol. 45, issue 3, 1457 - 1466

Abstract: We investigate peer effects in electoral participation within Chinese village elections using a novel panel of data from a village in China. The results provide unique empirical evidence for the presence of a positive peer effect in electoral participation, that is, whether the household participates in voting is positively influenced by the choices made by other households from their social network. By distinguishing between strong and weak ties based on social distance, we reveal that weak ties are more important for promoting people going to the polls than strong ties, due to the information superiority of weak ties.

Keywords: Peer Effect; Social Network; Weak Ties; Electoral Participation; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D7 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-09-30
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