Suchergebnisse

This article analyses the data from the 2010 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to investigate the effects of the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS) on people's political trust and policy expectations in China. Results from difference-in-differences (DID) analyses show that those in the NRPS pilot areas reported higher levels of trust in government at both central and local levels than their counterparts in non-NRPS areas, with the former gaining more support than the latter. Moreover, the potential NRPS beneficiaries show similarly higher levels of trust in both central and local governments than non-NRPS beneficiaries. However, the policy did not increase rural residents' rights consciousness that the government should take the main responsibility for the provision of the old-age support. These findings suggest that citizens' political trust under an authoritarian regime is mainly determined by the material benefits they receive. (China Q/GIGA)

This article investigates the temporal trend in the socioeconomic differentials between ethnic minorities and the Han majority in China. Data from a series of population censuses and a mini-census show that, while the regional distribution of ethnic minorities remained relatively stable from 1982 to 2005, occupational segregation and educational disparities between minorities and the Han increased over time. Multivariate analysis of data from the 2005 mini-census further reveals that ethnic minorities were disadvantaged in earnings in urban labor markets compared to the Han, especially those minorities in the private sector and in self-employment. The analysis also uncovers substantial heterogeneity among ethnic minorities in their socioeconomic relationship with the Han and presents a comprehensive picture of how various ethnic minorities have fared in the course of China's economic transition. (J Contemp China/GIGA)

This paper analyzes a series of population census and by-census data from 1991 to 2006 to examine the economic adaptation of Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong, focusing on their employment, occupational and earnings attainment. We pay particular attention to the adaptation of immigrants over time, and the effect of changes in the (overall) quality of the immigration cohort as a result of the immigration policy shift after Hong Kong's reunification with China in 1997. Results show that at the time of entry, mainland immigrants were less likely to be employed, more likely to be trapped in elementary occupations and to be earning much less than the natives. As they stayed longer, the gaps tended to decrease, but most immigrants were unable to reach parity with the natives with respect to earnings throughout their working lives. Men generally adapted at a faster pace than women. While new immigrants after 1997 fared worse in terms of employment and occupational attainment compared to those who arrived earlier (before 1997), there is no evidence to suggest that the changing cohort quality had any significant effect on overall income inequality.

"This study examines the trends in educational stratification during China's economic reform period from 1981 to 2006. Using panel data from the 'China Health and Nutrition Survey': the authors match school-age children to their parents' information arid investigate how the family background affects children's educational transitions over time in both urban and rural areas. The authors find that social inequality in the transition to senior high school first increased then decreased during the reform era, whereas inequality in the transition to college recently increased. In particular, children from rural backgrounds seem to face more disadvantages in access to higher education in recent years, despite the rapid expansion of higher education since the late 1990s." (author's abstract).

"This study examines the trends in educational stratification during China's economic reform period from 1981 to 2006. Using panel data from the 'China Health and Nutrition Survey': the authors match school-age children to their parents' information arid investigate how the family background affects children's educational transitions over time in both urban and rural areas. The authors find that social inequality in the transition to senior high school first increased then decreased during the reform era, whereas inequality in the transition to college recently increased. In particular, children from rural backgrounds seem to face more disadvantages in access to higher education in recent years, despite the rapid expansion of higher education since the late 1990s." (author's abstract)

AbstractPrior research has debated the relative importance of such factors as human capital, political capital and region in determining workers' earnings in reform-era urban China. This article argues that a main agent of social stratification in contemporary China continues to be the danwei, the work unit. Using data from a 1999 survey we conducted in three large Chinese cities, Wuhan, Shanghai and Xi'an, we assess the extent to which workers' earnings (including regular wages, bonuses and subsidies) depend on the profitability of their danwei. Results show that the financial situation of the danwei is one of the most important determinants of earnings in today's urban China. Furthermore, the importance of danwei profitability does not vary by city or by employment sector.

Prior research has debated the relative importance of such factors as human capital, political capital and region in determining workers' earnings in reform-era urban China. This article argues that a main agent of social stratification in contemporary China continues to be the danwei, the work unit. Using data from a 1999 survey we conducted in three large Chinese cities, Wuhan, Shanghai and Xi'an, we assess the extent to which workers' earnings (including regular wages, bonuses and subsidies) depend on the profitability of their danwei. Results show that the financial situation of the danwei is one of the most important determinants of earnings in today's urban China. Furthermore, the importance of danwei profitability does not vary by city or by employment sector.