Life‐Cycle and Generational Influences on Chinese Political Behavior and Attitudes: Age Matters, and so Does Context

ABSTRACT Objective This article aims to revisit the relative importance of age versus generation in explaining differences of political behavior and attitudes across age cohorts in China, assess the impact of contextual changes affecting multiple age groups, and identify special characteristics of attitudes and behavior of Generation Z. Method Analysis of differences among age cohorts using survey data for 2019 and differences for each cohort between 2008 and 2019 using two nationwide surveys. Results Findings suggest (1) roles for both age and generation in explaining differences among cohorts, (2) special features of Gen Z as compared to older generations, and (3) roles of contextual factors (period effects) in affecting change across multiple generations. Conclusion Not only does age influence political behavior and attitudes in authoritarian China but so does context, both later in life and particularly during formative years. When taking age, generation, and period effects into account, there is no single explanation that applies to all types of attitude and behavior.