China's Middle Class

The New Social Stratum

Li Youmei

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9781000388169
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Media Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

This book is a collection of empirical studies on China's middle class from top-ranking Chinese sociologists, discussing this newly identified social stratum with regard to the basic concept and scope of the group, its functions, formation, identity, consumption, behavior patterns and value system. As the first study of its kind, the analysis of most chapters is based on a rich body of empirical data gathered from rigorous large-scale surveys designed specifically for the Chinese middle class across megacities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The book traces the complex and dynamic formation process of China's middle class from different perspectives while dealing with issues of social concern such as "rigid social stratification". The findings shed light on the underlying logic of structural change in Chinese society over several recent decades, with significant policy implications.

The book will attract sociologists, students and policymakers interested in social structure, social transformation and middle-income groups in China.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• Contributors
• Foreword
• Part I: Concept, function and scope of the middle class
• Part II: Formation and identity of the middle class
• Part III: Middle-class consumption
• Part IV: Behavior and value system of the middle class
• Postscript
• Index