Perceptions of Justice and the Outlook on Democracy in China: Empirical Evidence from the 2015 Chinese Social Governance Survey

Abstract: This article examines the relationship between perceptions of justice and democracy in China, highlighting the public support for substantive over procedural democracy. The findings indicate a positive correlation between perceived justice and satisfaction with China's democratic practices, as well as support for substantive democracy. Conversely, perceived justice negatively correlates with support for procedural democracy. Utilising data from the 2015 Chinese Social Governance Survey, the article offers preliminary explanations from interest-based and cultural perspectives, challenging traditional linear or U-shaped models of democratic development by proposing a more complex relationship between perceptions of justice and evaluations of democracy.