THE STUDY OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND SOCIAL MOBILITY IN MODERN CHINESE SOCIOLOGY: THREE CONCEPTS

Abstract

This article examines modern concepts of social stratification and social mobility in China. The approaches of modern Chinese sociologists Lu Xueyi, Li Qiang and Gu Hui, who belong to different generations of scientists, are analyzed. Each of them puts forward his unique concept, relying on a large number of statistical data and sociological approaches. In the course of reasoning, Lu Xueyi, Li Qiang and Gu Hui are examining various social problems that arise as a result of changes in the processes of social mobility and the reform of the social structure that cause dissatisfaction among part of the population. Modern Chinese society can not be called stable. One of the main problems of Lu Xueyi calls the lag of social development from economic development, which generates social crises. Li Qiang analyzes the barriers to vertical mobility, among which is the registration system for the place of residence, unequal access to education and jobs. Gu Hui in his studies draws attention to the fact that the Chinese model of stratification and social mobility is becoming increasingly closed, emphasizes the importance of family origin, increases the closure of the transition between social classes, especially the transition to the upper class. Independently from each other, the aforementioned scholars come to the conclusion that since the reform policy (1978) the coefficient of social mobility in China has increased, and the opportunities for mobility have also increased, however, moving along social mobility channels is not always unhindered, the phenomenon of securing the social structure of modern society occurs.