Speaking up: why people dare to sue the government in China

Abstract

Why do Chinese citizens file administrative lawsuits despite low expectations of winning or the possibility of political retaliation from suing the government? Drawn from the author's fieldwork interviews in 2019 with ordinary citizens who had had disputes with their administrators, this article argues that Chinese citizens’ desire to have their voices heard trumps these obstacles. That is, through lawsuits, people want to face their administrators and make their case. An administrative trial provides an opportunity for citizens to voice their discontent in the physical presence of administrators, unlike other dispute resolution methods available in China. Administrative litigants value this rare chance, even though the rulings are unlikely to be in their favour. By treating an administrative trial as a stage for citizens to stand up for themselves against the government, this article contributes to our understanding of political expressions under authoritarianism.