Towards effective mobilization of social participation: from an instrumental approach to a value-oriented approach in China

State mobilization is crucial for promoting social participation in mainland China. Due to its historically weak roots, social participation’s limited popularity reflects the failure of China’s current instrumental mobilization approach which focuses on risk control, bureaucratism, and implementing top-down directives. As explained in this article, mobilization should be a value-oriented and inclusive process that emphasizes people’s happiness rather than achieving bureaucratic goals. This research contributes to the field of study by examining the key elements of value-oriented mobilization based on data from a national, large-scale survey conducted in mainland China. The implications for the development of policy for, and the part nonprofits can play in, social participation mobilization in China are also discussed