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Economic Causes and Cures of Social Instability in China
Author(s) -
Knight John
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
china and world economy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.815
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1749-124X
pISSN - 1671-2234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-124x.2014.12059.x
Subject(s) - china , economics , political instability , instability , order (exchange) , economic inequality , economic stability , development economics , inequality , politics , economic system , macroeconomics , political science , finance , physics , mathematics , mechanics , law , mathematical analysis
Abstract China's leaders have often expressed concerns about social instability, viewed as a threat both to the political order and to continued rapid growth. Slower growth might, in turn, further undermine social stability. Using survey data, the present paper examines the economic determinants of social instability. Four main determinants are identified: past and expected growth of income, income inequality, economic insecurity and misgovernance. The paper then considers possible policies to reduce social instability, examining each of the determinants in turn.