This book attempts to provide an overview of social political changes in the Chinese society since the global financial crisis. Rapid economic development has restructured the setup of the society and empowered or weakened certain social players. The chapters in this book provide an updated account of a wide range of social changes, including the rise of the middle class and private entrepreneurs, political mobilization on the Internet, the declining social status of the working class, as well as the resurgence of non-governmental organizations, and the rising public protests. Also the...

Social policy reforms driven by profound social changes have been a popular and pressing topic worldwide in recent years in both policy and academic circles. In this book, prominent social policy scholars from Europe, North America, and Asia discuss the history of social policies, compare different social development models, and analyze the challenges facing these economies' social policy reforms. The book provides comprehensive and comparative perspectives and updated data on social development and social policy reforms in the world's major economies, and particularly, in mainland China.