Unveiling the Celebrities in Chinese Authoritarian Politics

• In Event: Chinese Politics Mini-Conference: New Frontiers and Perspectives on Chinese Politics

Abstract

Nothing is separate from politics in authoritarian regimes, including their people's entertainment interests. Pop stars and celebrities from the entertainment industry are frequently used by authoritarian governments to legitimize their rule or to leverage their influence on fandoms and the public. Yet, critical questions about these practices persist: What characteristics define the state's ideal celebrity? What logic informs the selection of these favored individuals? And how does the state signal its preferences to the entertainment industry and mass society? To address these questions, our study analyzes a novel dataset comprising over 3,500 Chinese entertainment celebrities, encompassing a broad array of metrics ranging from demographic information, political affiliations, and societal engagement levels to fandom metrics, accolades, and professional participation. Our findings reveal that certain individual characteristics, often overlooked in existing literature, play a pivotal role in aligning with the state’s preferred celebrity archetype. Furthermore, we document a shift in the state's ideal celebrity profile across different eras of CCP leadership. Significantly, our analysis demonstrates that celebrities who align with state preferences enjoy distinct advantages, highlighting the tangible impacts of state endorsement. To complement our study, we also apply machine learning techniques to predict emerging talents within the Chinese entertainment sector, offering insights into the future trajectory of state-celebrity relations. This research contributes to our understanding of the intricate interplay between authoritarian governance and popular culture, shedding light on the nuanced strategies employed by such regimes to maintain their grip on power.

Authors

• Chengli Wang, University of Macau

• Guo LI