The differing social media strategies of education NGOs in China

Date Presented:

February 7

Abstract:

A major theme in the discussion surrounding Chinese NGOs is the relationship between these organizations and the state. Some scholars believe that the state exercises strict control over these organizations while others argue that NGOs are able to negotiate for more autonomy from the state. However, many of these theoretical works tend to make broad generalizations without providing a firm foundation of empirical analysis. My thesis seeks to analyze the online social media usages of Chinese education NGOs varying in their relationship to the state (from government-organized NGOs to grassroots NGOs) to provide a more nuanced picture of NGO-state relations. The Internet is an especially appropriate and interesting topic to analyze. On the one hand, it offers cost-effective ways for NGOs working as questionable legal entities to obtain vital resources. One the other hand, the state is also acutely aware of the potential for activism on the Internet and uses an extensive censorship apparatus to control Internet usage. These two conflicting trends make the Chinese Internet a politically “gray” area, not completely dominated by the CCP or completely free from its control. Indeed, the choices that NGOs make about their use of the Internet will reflect greatly on the current reality of NGO-state relations. Through both a quantitative analysis of education NGOs’ Weibo accounts as well as extensive interview data with past and current NGO workers, founders, and volunteers, I seek to contribute to the conversation surrounding state-society relations in China.