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. 2016 Jul;2(3):327-347.
doi: 10.1177/2057150X16654059. Epub 2016 Sep 6.

Understanding inequality in China

Yu Xie  1
Affiliations

Understanding inequality in China

Yu Xie. Chin J Sociol. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Drawing on past research, including my own, I set forth the following propositions: (1) inequality in China has been generated and maintained by structural collective mechanisms, such as regions and work units; (2) traditional Chinese political ideology has promoted merit-based inequality, with merit being perceived as functional in improving the collective welfare for ordinary people; and (3) many Chinese people today regard inequality as an inevitable consequence of economic development. Thus, it seems unlikely that social inequality alone would lead to political and social unrest in today's China.

Keywords: Attitude/ideology; China; economic development; inequality.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trends in China’s Family Income Gini Coefficients Source: Xie and Zhou (2014).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cross-province Comparison of Per-Capita Income Separately for Urban/Rural Residents, 2010 Source: China Statistical Information Network (2011).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Earnings Differentials by Danwei Profitability
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Hauser S, Xie Y. Temporal and regional variation in earnings inequality: Urban China in transition between 1988 and 1995. Social Science Research. 2005;34:44–79.

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