SocialInequalityandMobilityinHongKongFindingsfromA.pptVIP

1. Background of Research on Inequality Rising inequality has been a pressing issue faced by many countries in recent decades. It is economic, social, and political issue that deserves research from all major social science disciplines. Sociological research on inequality considers hierarchical social structures that rank people with respect to access to certain resources, and how such structure/pattern varies in different context. Research on class inequality and mobility: WHO GETS WHAT, AND WHY? Occupation is an important basis of social stratification, through which majority of us earn income. Social Science and The Public Policy Theory-based and empirically-tested models of inequality that can assist not only in understanding ongoing changes in inequality but also in evaluating public policy and social interventions. Basis: the collection and empirical analysis of population-based sample data . The case of Hong Kong: two contrasting images. Economic Development and Income Inequality in Hong Kong, 1981-2006 2. Hong Kong’s Inequality in Policy Debate Inequality has become a political issue high Gini coefficient is often cited as evidence . The government set up a new Commission on Poverty in 2005 to tackle the problems related to poverty, among which inter-generational transfer of poverty was listed on the top of the Commission’s policy. Stagnant social mobility and the emergence of M-shape society. Social Mobility Some argued that in the context of economic recession and industrial restructuring, Hong Kong is increasingly polarized, fitting the scenario of the M-shaped societies. Others contended that little statistical evidence suggests such an ongoing trend, namely, ordinary people’s living standards are on the decline and social mobility is blocked. The Chief Executive’s Policy Address 2009 Temporal Trends in Social Mobility Intergenerational or intergenerational mobility; How structural change shapes opportunities; The role of educational