This book highlights the significant shifts in China's socioeconomic structure brought about by the country's first four decades of reform and opening-up. It address a number of contentious issues, including: Is the disparity in income growing or shrinking? Has there been a decrease in social mobility? What is the size of the middle class and middle-income group in China? With solid empirical evidence and rigorous analysis, contributors make the case that social policies that advance social justice and enhance peoples well-being are needed to adjudicate tensions among social classes and groups. It is of paramount importance for these policies to ensure that democracy and the rule of Law are upheld, the government is transparent, and the publics voices are heard and they can fully participate in social governance.
Introduction Changes in Social Stratification and Their Influence
(1978-2018)
Chapter One Development and Features of the Industrial
Workforce in Modern China
Chapter Two Characteristic and Development of the
Service Sector in Modern China
Chapter Three Structural Changes in Social
Stratification of the Chinese Farmers
Chapter Four The Size and Mentality
of Technical Professionals in Contemporary China
Chapter Five The
Characteristics, Consumption and Social Attitudes of the Middle Class in
Contemporary China
Chapter Six Private Business Owners and Self-Employed
Individuals in Contemporary China: Mix, Attitude and Action
Chapter Seven
Education and Social Stratification in Contemporary China
Li Peilin is a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Professor of sociology, and Director of the editorial board of Sociological Studies. He is the author of Transformation of Social Structure in China: A Sociological Analysis of Economic Reform (1995), The Demise of a Village (2004), Another Invisible Hand: Transformation of Social Structure (2005), Ten Lectures on Harmonious Society (2006), Selected Essays by Li Peilin (2008), Social Transformation and the Chinese Experience (2013), Social Reform and Social Governance (2014). He is also the editor of the annual blue book Society of China: Analysis and Forecast.
