Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

2019

China

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Growing Middle Class And The Absence Of Democracy In China, Danni Mei May 2019

The Growing Middle Class And The Absence Of Democracy In China, Danni Mei

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Contrary to the prediction of modernization theory, the vibrant Chinese economy and its growing middle class have not brought democratic change to the authoritarian country. This work sheds light on the puzzle of the absence of democracy in China despite a fast-growing middle class. The study argues that the key to explaining the middle class’ inert political behavior is to be found in its fragmentation. It is necessary to disaggregate the political, economic, and social positions of different subgroups of the Chinese middle class—government officials and party cadres, private entrepreneurs of small or medium businesses, professionals, and white-collar employees—and the …