From Rice Bowl to Safety Net: Insecurity and Social Protection during China’s Transition

Abstract

Alongside economic growth, inequality and insecurity have increased rapidly in China. Groups formerly excluded from the security of the ‘iron rice bowl’ are now excluded from new forms of social assistance, often designed to compensate those losing livelihood guarantees. There is thus a need for new safety–net measures, both to assist the most vulnerable and least secure members of society throughout the transition, and to enhance their longer–term security. This article argues that compensatory arrangements can be effective only alongside a complementary set of social protection policies including increased investment in human resources. Better–designed interventions could strengthen rather than undermine existing informal safety nets, and allow an expanded role for nongovernmental organisations in social protection.