Transformation and Disruption—Changes in China's 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 China's transformation since reform has been the dramatic, continuous, and profound changes in its structure. The author uses the concept of "transformation and rupture" to describe the current phenomena and their underlying causes, demonstrating that Chinese society after the 1990s is a different one with its own characteristics. From economic, historical, and comparative perspectives, the book interprets the relationships between the state, grassroots ruling elites, and the populace, as well as contemporary issues in China that urgently need clarification, such as the mobility of rural migrant workers, social stability, and market transformation. The intended readers of this book are sociology teachers, students, and researchers, as well as individuals interested in Chinese society.