Social policy in China: Development and well-being

Description

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.

Chak Kwan Chan is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at Nottingham Trent University, UK. King Lun Ngok is Associate Professor at the Centre for Public Administration Research, School of Government at Sun Yat-Sen University, The People's Republic of China. David Phillips is Reader in Social Policy at the University of Sheffield, UK.

"This book presents systematic illustration of changes to Chinese social policy as it adapts to the market economy, and how it confronts the new social problems that accompany rapid economic growth. It will be a useful introductory text for those studying Chinese social policy." Professor Shogo Takegawa, Department of Sociology, University of Tokyo, and Chair of the East Asian Social Policy Research Network