The Welfare System Of Universal Integration In China

This book presents the concepts: the welfare system of universal integration and the welfare mode of universal integration. In this book, the author explores the foundation of fair baseline about the universal integration on the basis of critically inheriting the domestic and international social welfare theories, comprehensively explains the connotation, subject and application of fair baseline theory. It systematically discusses the theoretical basis, basic features, scientific evidence, system composition and operating mechanism, introduces the experience in the west and Asia about the construction of social welfare system, further investigates and understands the public needs about the social welfare, talks about the system design of the welfare system of universal integration and provides some realistic, individualized and operative suggestions for promoting the welfare system of universal integration.

At a time of significant transformations in Chinese society, this book addresses the key issue of social welfare and the reform of the welfare system in 21st century China. Considering both the theory and policy making across a variety of welfare issues which directly impact on the country’s economic development, it examines the development of civil society, changes in social stratification and in social class structure. It notably considers the key questions of welfare in both urban and rural settings, for different population groups such as children, the elderly and the disabled, addressing topical issues of housing, education, public health, poverty and the restructuring of related welfare policy system to tackle China’s key issues. It also considers the impact of migrant workers in China and their social integration, including within the welfare system. Providing a unique insight into how economic globalization and financial crisis affects Chinese social welfare policies, this book is a key read for scholars worldwide interested in social transformation in Chinese society at a time of significant social and economic transition.

China Development Research Foundation is one of the leading economic think tanks in China, where many of the details of China’s economic reform have been formulated. Its work and publications therefore provide great insights into what the Chinese themselves think about economic reform and how it should develop. This book sets out the general objectives, principles and framework of a proposed new social welfare system for China, putting forward relevant policy recommendations. It provides a comprehensive overview of China’s current welfare services, including retirement pensions, education, health, employment, housing and social security payments, and goes on to cost the proposed new social welfare system and assess the government’s capacity for implementing it. It shows how the new system will, within an integrated framework, provide comprehensive welfare for all, including rural and urban citizens, migrant workers and disadvantaged groups such as rural and urban poor. It also shows how the new system will aim to balance economic and social development whilst maintaining China’s high economic growth rate, increasing domestic demand and promoting economic restructuring.

This Handbook is a timely compilation dedicated to exploring a rare diversity of perspectives and content on the development, successes, reforms and challenges within China's contemporary welfare system. It showcases an extensive introduction and 20 original chapters by leading and emerging area specialists who explore a century of welfare provision from the Nationalist era, up to and concentrating on economic reform and marketisation (1978 to the present). Organised around five key concerns (social security and welfare; emerging issues and actors, including gender issues, NGOs, and philanthropy; gaps; and future challenges, such as population ageing and environmental pressures) chapters draw on original case-based research from diverse disciplines and perspectives, engage existing literature and further key debates. Key historical insights into welfare provision in the Chinese context serve as a starting point with the remaining chapters combining a review of the literature with original case studies. The book offers novel empirical research and includes topics often not discussed in the literature on welfare in China, including: mental health, highly educated rural-to-urban migrants, NGOs as welfare providers, China's overseas welfare aid, environmental challenges and welfare, amongst others. This comprehensive and multidisciplinary Handbook will be of immense value to researchers and scholars in the fields of China Studies, social policy, the welfare state, politics and related areas. Accessible to a non-specialist audience interested in China's welfare development and welfare states more broadly, it will also serve as a useful resource for undergraduates. Contributors Include: E. Baum, M. Blaxland, O. Bruun, B. Carrillo, J. Chen, S. Cook, X.-y. Dong, T.D. DuBois, M.W. Frazier, K.R. Fisher, R. Hasmath, T. Hesketh, J. Hood, J.Y.J. Hsu, H. Jia, E. Jeffreys, P.I. Kadetz, B. Li, Y. Li, J. Liu, S.-h. Liu, Y. Liu, A.W. MacDonald, A. Saich, X. Shang, D.J. Solinger, K. Suda, Y. Zeng, J. Zhao, Z. Zhao

In the past few decades, the change in China’s welfare system has been characterised by a balanced distribution of benefits across social sectors and the institutionalization of welfare redistribution. This process has occurred without significant political change that would empower politically disadvantaged groups such as the urban and rural poor. This book questions what has motivated the regime to redistribute welfare benefits through an institutionalized manner whilst its political structure remains largely unchanged. By situating China within the broader context of East Asia and against the backdrop of globalization since the 1980s, this book examines the institutional origin and development of China’s new welfare system. Through doing this, it provides an understanding of the nature of the Chinese state in dealing with its economy and society in a context of global economic integration. A global-local dynamics framework highlights the importance of the interactive relationship between China’s integration into the world economy and its unique geopolitical constraints, which together induce the regime to listen to its subjects and follow a "move to the middle" in welfare restructuring. Offering a novel explanation of the welfare-globalization relations in a non-democratic setting, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of Social Policy, International Political Economy and Chinese Politics.

Pro-'workfare' governments justify their policies by claiming 'workfare' helps enhance self-esteem and promote the dignity of unemployed recipients. On the other hand, welfare activists argue that 'workfare' suppresses the dignity of unemployed persons. This book examines the concept of human dignity in this context and attempts to clarify its meaning. For the first time, it formulates a framework for evaluating the dignity of welfare recipients; uses this framework to explore the dignity of unemployed persons in four different welfare systems: UK, Sweden, China and Hong Kong and compares the conditions of human dignity in each case and identifies factors which enhance or suppress it. Human dignity and welfare systems is important reading for students and academics in the fields of social policy, social work, philosophy and politics. It is also a useful reference text for politicians, welfare administrators and activists.

This comprehensive reference views China’s welfare system through a cultural-historical lens to integrate its complex story into the global study of welfare. Focusing on the mainland’s vast, mainly rural population and its long and complicated history, it analyzes rural welfare from the imperial dynasties, to the socialist planned economy under Mao Zedong, to its recent history in the current market economy. Findings from government and academics explore salient topics such as urban/rural inequity, the situation of migrant workers, change of social security system, the community development of the countryside, and the relationships of rural welfare policy with social structure, cultural background, economic development and political institution. This broad and deep knowledge gives readers the tools necessary for understanding the relationship of China’s unique and nuanced past to its prominent status in the evolving global economy. Among the book’s topics: “p> Welfare studies in the West and China Welfare practice in the period of 1840-1949 Creation of the Socialist Welfare System: socialist reformation and construction The Social Security system in rural China, 1979-1998 Re-collectivized process in welfare and economy Welfare’s political contexts: rural grass-roots democracy With its accessible, up-to-date coverage and holistic approach to its subject, Rural Welfare in China will find a diverse interested audience, including sociologists, political economists, and social policymakers.

This much-needed new textbook introduces readers to the development of China's welfare polices since its conception of an open-door policy in 1978. Setting out basic concepts and issues, including key terms and the process of policy making, it overcomes a major barrier to understanding Chinese social policy. The book explores in detail the five key policy areas of employment, social security, health, education and housing. Each is examined using a human well-being framework comprising both qualitative and quantitative data and eight dimensions: physical and psychological well-being, social integration, fulfilment of caring duties, human learning and development, self-determination, equal value and just polity. This enables the authors to provide not only factual information on policies but also an in-depth understanding of the impact of welfare changes on the quality of life of Chinese people over the past three decades. A major strength of the book lies in its use of primary Chinese language sources, including relevant White Papers, central and local government policy documents, academic research studies and newspapers for each policy area. There are very few books in English on social policy in China, and this book will be welcomed both by academics and students of China and East Asian studies and comparative social policy and by those who want to know more about China's social development.