People's Livelihood in Contemporary China

Changes, Challenges and Prospects

Since being established in 1949 — and especially since the reform and opening up 30 years ago — China has experienced the most drastic changes ever in its 5000-year history. During this period, China has transformed from an agricultural society into an emerging, dynamic, and industrialized nation and has undergone rapid urbanization. The standard of living of the Chinese continues to rise and is taking rapid strides forward to a higher level of comprehensive well-being.

China's development over the past 60 years has indicated that the livelihood of the people is a key factor in economic and social construction in contemporary China. Having sufficient food and clothing is the first step in improving the livelihood of the people. A higher level of well-being can be achieved only after the basic needs are met. This “higher level of well-being” comprises of employment as the foundation, education as the key point, income distribution as the source, social security as the support, and public safety as an assurance.

This book offers fresh perspectives by prestigious scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Based on a unique source of data which is available only to Chinese scholars, this book showcases key issues on people's livelihood and social construction in Contemporary China, including income disparity, social security system, employment situation, post-80s generation and so on.

Contents:

• Introduction: The Changing Chinese Society (Li Peilin)
• The People's Livelihood in China (Li Peilin and Li Wei)
• China in the Mass Consumption Stage (Tian Feng)
• Characteristic and Change of Current Employment (Fan Lei)
• Urban and Rural Residents' Social Security (Zhang Liping)
• Urban and Rural Residents' Social Support (Diao Pengfei)
• Evolution Process and the Trend of Income Differential (Chen Guangjin)

Children of the Reform and Opening Up (Tian Feng)

Readership: Undergraduates, graduates, academics and researchers who are interested in issues on people's livelihood and social construction in Contemporary China, including income disparity, social security system, employment situation and so on.
Key Features:

• Fresh Chinese perspectives by prestigious scholars in Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, based on unique sources of data which is available only to Chinese scholars
• First English book based on the data collected in the Chinese General Social Survey (CSS)
• Elaborates key issues on the Chinese society from the perspective of people's livelihood