1st Edition
China's New Consumers Social Development and Domestic Demand
Preface: 'The China Story' 1. Introduction: Highlighting Demand in Development Part 1: Narrating Demand: A Consumer Revolution 2. Increasing Demand: Spending and Shopping 3. Weakening Demand: Saving and Segmenting Part 2: Segmenting Demand: The Wealth Pyramid 4. Elite Lifestyles: The Good Life and Yupward Mobility 5. An Urban Conundrum: Impoverished Workers 6. A Rural Impasse: Fragile Livelihoods Part 3: Profiling Demand: The Demographic Pyramid 7. Children First: The Indulgence Factor 8. Chasing Youthful Dreams: Aspirations and Alienation 9. The Greying Generations: Shifting Needs Part 4: Present Trends: Future Demand 10. Consumer Confidence: Stability and Security? 11. Developing Demand: From Trickle to Transition
Biography
Elisabeth Croll is Professor of Chinese Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. For the past thirty years, she has undertaken field studies and written widely on social development issues in contemporary China.
'Drawing on 30 years of fieldwork in urban and rural areas, large coastalcities, and small county towns, Croll effortlessly grounds macrostructural analysis in vivid interviews and personal observations. The detail is impressive and I would recommend the book as essential background for any professional traveling to China on business. The volume would also succeed as the core text in an undergraduate course on Chinese society or political economy' - DEBORAH DAVIS, China Information 2008; 22; 146
