The Quality of Life in Contemporary China (Research Series on the Chinese Dream and China’s Development Path)

This book introduces a multidimensional system that evaluates quality of life in China by pursuing a quantitative and analytical approach. A host of factors, including economic conditions and individual wellbeing, can affect people’s satisfaction with their lives. In addition to GDP-associated indicators, sociological and environmental factors are also relevant when it comes to evaluating quality of life. Providing a general framework, while also considering gender, education and geographical differences in assessing quality of life, the book offers policy suggestions for improving both individual quality of life and the health of society as a whole. Series Preface Introduction: Towards a Greater Emphasis on the Quality of Life Contents 1 Consumer Stratification and Quality of Life 1.1 Literature Review, Data, Research Methodology and Main Variables 1.2 Average and Marginal Propensities to Consume for Each Social Group 1.3 Marginal Propensities for Survival-Oriented and Developmental Consumption 1.4 Conclusion and Brief Discussion References 2 Quality of Employment and the Underlying Factors 2.1 Literature Review 2.2 The Current State of Employment Quality 2.3 Subjective Appraisals of Employment Quality 2.4 Conclusions and Policy Proposals References 3 Education, Social Mobility and Quality of Life 3.1 Developments in Education and Growth in Educational Opportunities 3.2 Urban–Rural and Social Status Inequities in Educational Opportunities 3.3 Enrollment Expansion and Graduate Unemployment 3.4 Educational Attainment and Socioeconomic Status 3.5 Conclusion References 4 Environmental Consciousness and Quality of Life 4.1 An Overview and Review of Relevant Literature 4.1.1 Existing Research on Environmental Consciousness 4.1.2 The Inadequacies of Existing Research 4.2 Environmental Satisfaction and Environmental Consciousness 4.2.1 Environmental Satisfaction 4.2.2 Environmental Consciousness 4.3 Public Environmental Participation 4.3.1 Research Hypotheses 4.3.2 Data and Variables 4.3.3 Analysis and Discussion 4.4 Discussion and Proposals References 5 Civic Engagement and Quality of Life 5.1 Definition and Significance of Civic Engagement 5.2 Existing Research on Civic Engagement as a Factor in Quality of Life 5.3 Civic Engagement and the Quality of Life—An Empirical Analysis 5.4 A Further Look at the Characteristics of Groups Participating in Civic Engagement 5.5 Civic Engagement and Social Governance References 6 Life Satisfaction and Underlying Factors 6.1 The Concept and Significance of Life Satisfaction 6.2 An Analytical Framework for Life Satisfaction 6.2.1 Life Satisfaction and Economic Factors 6.2.2 Life Satisfaction and Social Factors 6.2.3 Life Satisfaction and Environmental Factors 6.2.4 Life Satisfaction and Individual Quality of Life 6.2.5 Establishing our Analytical Framework 6.3 Comparing Life Satisfaction Levels 6.4 Analysis of the Factors Underlying Life Satisfaction 6.5 Conclusion and Discussion References