The Effect of Administrative Burden Perception on Citizen Participation: A Barrier or a Spur?

What effect does administrative burden have on citizen participation? In this article, we integrated administrative burden into the calculus model of participation, elucidating its dual role in citizen participation based on the nature of participatory activities. By analyzing survey data about grassroots governance from about 3,000 residents in China, we discern that administrative burden perception acts as an impediment to government-initiated contacts. However, it appears to be positively associated with citizen-initiated contacts, especially for people who are over 40 and who live in urban areas. Our findings expand the calculus model of citizen participation and underscore the significance of differentiating participation types in examining the complex role of administrative burden perception on citizen participation. The findings also provide policy implications, suggesting the importance of alleviating administrative burden in citizen-state interactions and genuinely empowering citizens in community activities.