Sympathetic Rebels: Agent-based Simulation of Resistance under China’s Information Censorship Apparatus

This study aims to investigate the relationship between censorship policies, public emotional responses, and resistance in the specific context of information censorship in China. We employ an agent-based model to monitor resistance within the context of the Chinese censorship apparatus. In doing so, this study investigates the impact of sympathy on resistance and examines the divisions within the public by creating two groups: "little pink" representing pro-government forces and "normal citizens" representing apolitical forces. Our findings reveal that when apolitical citizens exhibit sympathy towards each other, a significant portion of the population is likely to engage in resistance. Sympathy towards individuals facing state coercion undermines the efficacy of censorship’s mitigating effects, thereby facilitating resistance. Furthermore, public divisions have a positive influence on the proliferation of resistance groups, contributing to their radicalization and subsequently delegitimizing the government.