In the midst of China's post-Mao market reforms, the old status hierarchy is collapsing. Who will determine what will take its place? In "Creating Market Socialism," the sociologist Carolyn L. Hsu demonstrates the central role of ordinary people--rather than state or market elites--in creating new institutions for determining status in China. Hsu explores the emerging hierarchy, which is based on the concept of "suzhi," or quality. In suzhi ideology, human capital and educational credentials are the most important measures of status and class position. Hsu reveals how, through their words and...