Social Stratification in Modern China

The Rise of the Middle Class and Diverse Transformations
Erscheinungsjahr 2027
ISBN: 978-981-9255-92-4
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 330 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm

Reihe: Understanding China

This book examines how China’s social structure has evolved in the context of rapid economic transformation. Focusing on the widening gap between rich and poor, it analyzes how government-led reforms and equity-oriented resource allocation policies shape social outcomes. A central theme is the rise of China’s middle class—its size, lifestyle, and growing influence on social stability and economic development.

By comparing China’s emerging middle class with those in advanced economies, the book shows how this group serves as a stabilizing force in modern societies. It argues that China’s expanding middle-income population will help slow the deepening of inequality and support the transition toward an “olive-shaped” social structure. The book also proposes five key measures to address persistent challenges in resource distribution. In closing, it reflects on major contributions to the study of social stratification in China since the late 1990s, summarizing significant academic findings and trends in this field.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Li, Qiang

Weitere Mitwirkende

Zhao, Jun

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Asiatische Geschichte
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Entwicklungsstudien
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Soziale Gruppen & Klassen
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Middle Class in China.- An Analysis of the Chinese Middle-class Structure.- Market Transformation and the Generational Changes of Chinese Middle Class.- The Living Standard and Lifestyle of Chinese Middle Class.- An International Comparison Between the Development of Chinese Middle Class and of Other Countries.- The Transitional and the Marginal Group of Middle Class.- The Three Critical Channels for the Formation of Chinese Middle Class Society.- Studies on the Improvement of Migrant Workers Social Status.-The Current High-Income Group.- The Property Location Group” in the Transformation Period.- The Gap Between Rich and Poor and Social Fairness.- Chinese Sociology Studies on Social Stratification.

Über Autor(innen)

Li Qiang(1950-2023), used to be the president of the Chinese Sociological Association and the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Tsinghua University. His research fields involve social stratification and social mobility, urban sociology, applied sociology, community research, etc. He is also a member of the Social Science Committee of the Ministry of Education, a member of the National Informatization Expert Advisory Committee, the convener of the 6th and 7th Sociology Discipline Review Group of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee, etc., and serves as an editorial board member of various academic journals. He has authored more than 20 books such as , , , and published more than 270 academic papers. He has been awarded the title of "National Model Teacher", and has been awarded the first prize for outstanding achievements in humanities and social science research in higher education institutions of the Ministry of Education.