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The Chinese Urban Caste System in Transition*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 January 2009

Abstract

Using data from a 2004 national survey, we examine the recent trends in the conditions of migrant workers in China. Our discussion engages the debate in the existing literature between the migrant workers as victims of China's economic growth and as a newly emerging political force with growing bargaining power. The study focuses on three dimensions of migrant workers' status: their socio-economic conditions, relations with rural and urban residents, and conflict resolution behaviour. The findings indicate that while migrant workers continue to occupy more blue-collar and service jobs than urban residents, their economic, social and political status has improved. In some areas, migrant workers show even more political activism than both rural and urban residents. Migrant workers' growing social influence is a positive development in China's political diversification.

Type
Special Section on New Frontiers in Survey Research
Copyright
Copyright © The China Quarterly 2008

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References

* This paper was prepared for the American Political Science Association annual meeting, Chicago, September 2007. We wish to express our appreciation to Melanie Manion for her excellent comments and suggestions.