The New Rich In China

The article discusses the emergence of new social groups in China since the country's economic reforms in 1978. These groups include new occupations and professions, as well as a wealthy class that has emerged despite the country's history of state socialism. The article cautions against assuming that China's new rich are a universal middle class and explores the political, socio-economic, and cultural characteristics of this group. It also discusses the impact of China's new rich on the world economy and how their growth may influence social change in other countries. The article is recommended for students and scholars of Chinese studies, history, politics, and social change.

Three decades of reform since 1978 in the People's Republic of China have resulted in the emergence of new social groups which have included new occupations and professions generated as the economy has opened up and developed and, most spectacularly given the legacy of state socialism, the identification of those who are regarded as wealthy. However, although China's new rich are certainly a consequence of globalization, there remains a need for caution in assuming either that China's new rich are a middle class, or that if they are they should immediately be equated with a universal middle class. Including sections on class, status and power, agency and structure and lifestyle The New Rich in China investigates the political, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the emergent new rich in China, the similarities and differences to similar phenomenon elsewhere and the consequences of the new rich for China itself. In doing so it links the importance of China to the world economy and helps us understand how the growth of China's new rich may influence our understanding of social change elsewhere. This is a subject that will become increasingly important as China continues its development and private entrepreneurship continues to be encouraged and as such The New Rich in China will be an invaluable volume for students and scholars of Chinese studies, history and politics and social change. Review: Students of social stratification in China will have much to learn (and debate) from this book. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. -- J. Li, CHOICE July 2009 Vol. 46 No. 11 'The New Rich in China will be a fine reader to anchor an advanced course in Chinese politics or in a comparative course of social stratification.' - Deborah Davis, The China Quarterly, 196, December 2008