Transformation and Disruption: Changes in Chinese Social Structure Since Reform

Author: Sun Liping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This book collects 13 articles published by the author since the 1990s. These essays, from a unique sociological perspective, systematically analyze a series of changes in Chinese social life over the 20 years of reform and opening-up. The articles highlight that the most significant and striking aspect of social transformation in China since reform has been the dramatic, continuous, and profound changes in its structure. The author uses the concept of "transformation and rupture" to explain the current phenomena and their underlying causes, demonstrating that post-1990s Chinese society is a different and self-contained entity compared to the past. From economic, historical, and comparative perspectives, the book interprets the relationships between the state, grassroots elites, and the populace, as well as contemporary issues in China that urgently need clarification, such as the mobility of rural migrants, social stability, and market transformation. The intended readers of this book include sociology professors, students, and researchers, as well as individuals interested in Chinese society.