Economic Development and Fair Distribution - Research on the Income Gap Problem of Zhejiang Residents

Author: Li Jiong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Economic development and fair distribution are universally concerned theoretical and practical issues for governments at all levels and the social sciences community. In recent years, attention has focused on the widening gap in residents' income. The widening income gap in reality is not entirely a result of reasonable institutional arrangements; it is also influenced by unreasonable, unfair, and non-standard factors. "Fair income gap" is the source of vitality for economic development and is acceptable to people; "unfair income gap" reduces people's "happiness index," lowers their expectations for reform and development, induces and intensifies new economic and social conflicts, and harbors new factors of social instability. To address the issue of widening income gaps, reforms should start with the distribution system. Eliminating systemic flaws such as unequal rights, unequal opportunities, unfair rules, and unfair redistribution is essential to improving the quality of distribution fairness, establishing a balanced game mechanism for rights, and enabling all social strata to share the fruits of reform and development. This book is an extension of the final report of the Zhejiang Provincial Philosophy and Social Sciences Key Project "The Current Situation and Development Trends of Income Distribution Gap in Zhejiang and Its Social Impact." The book is divided into eight chapters, focusing on empirical research on the income distribution gap among residents in Zhejiang. It elaborates on the status of income distribution and the factors influencing fair income distribution, and accordingly proposes solutions to the income distribution gap.