Social Citizenship in China

Continuity and Change

Bibliographic Data

ID4895072
AuthorsSerena Liu (0000-0002-1000-6727, University of Essex, corresponding author)
Year2007
Volume11
Issue5
Pages465-479
Publication date2007-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCitizenship Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1362-1025 • E-ISSN: 1469-3593
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13621020701605776
OpenAlexW2079649418
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited45

A fundamental feature of Chinese social citizenship is the demarcation between the rural population and the urban population. Entitlement to income security and welfare provision has been exclusively a right of city dwellers. However, as economic reform progresses, the socialist welfare system has become unable to provide adequate protection. Welfare reform intends to widen the social security net, yet it has inadvertently exacerbated social inequality. In the meantime, the inferior social position of the peasantry has worsened as an effect of continued state bias, heightened tax and fee burdens, and the expropriation of farmland for development. In light of the intrusion on their rights and interests, more and more Chinese citizens have taken to protesting to voice their discontent. Notes 1 There is another Chinese term which means nationals or citizens—guomin. However, as Harris (Citation2002) points out, this term is seldom used in socialist China in order to dissociate from the language of the Nationalist Party (Guomindang) which took over Taiwan. 2 Retirees of government organs and public institutions continue to receive pensions according to the pre-reform method and, on average, at a level twice as high as enterprise retirees (China Newsweek, Citation2006). 3 This was increased from 20% in 2006 (China Newsweek, 19 December 2005). 4 This was set at a level higher than the local unemployment benefit but lower than the local minimum wage, in order to reflect the historical importance of the workplace to Chinese workers (Saunders & Shang, Citation2001). 5 People's Net (www.people.com.cn) is the online version of People's Daily [Renmin ribao]. It provides links to online material from many other newspapers and magazines in China. 6 A universal health insurance scheme is being considered, but the main stakeholders have yet to reach an agreement (China Newsweek, Citation2006). 7 Data for other types of social insurance are not available. 8 One mu is equivalent to 0.0667 hectares. 9 Human Rights in China's electronic newsletter Huaxiabao offers a weekly report on such activities

China · Citizenship · Political science · Politics · Social change · Sociology · China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance · Gender Studies · Law

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