Political party affiliation and subjective well-being: Evidence from China

Abstract

Utilizing longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies spanning from 2010 to 2020, this study examined the impact of affiliation with the Communist Party of China (CPC) on subjective well-being (SWB). The results indicate that CPC affiliation exhibited a positive influence on an individual's SWB, and this conclusion was supported through a series of robustness checks. However, the positive effect diminished when addressing the issue of individual heterogeneity. The favorable effect of CPC affiliation was more pronounced among middle-aged and older generations compared to the younger generation. The positive influence of CPC affiliation on life satisfaction experienced a decline in the recent period. Lastly, the positive impact of CPC affiliation on SWB could potentially be attributed to five plausible pathways: an increase in income, augmentation of assets, elevation in social status, the possibility of engaging in the public sector workforce, and a heightened sense of optimism for the future.