The Impact of Middle-Class Consumption on Democratization in China and Northeast Asia: Korea, Taiwan, Consumerism, Appeasing the Wealthy, Aspirational Lifestyles, Party Corruption, Inequality

Nonfiction, History, Asian, Asia, China
Cover of the book The Impact of Middle-Class Consumption on Democratization in China and Northeast Asia: Korea, Taiwan, Consumerism, Appeasing the Wealthy, Aspirational Lifestyles, Party Corruption, Inequality by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781370503957
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: October 22, 2016
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781370503957
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: October 22, 2016
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This important report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Despite four decades of astonishing economic growth, China's authoritarian government remains firmly entrenched in power. This fact challenges modernization theory, which anticipates that as countries become wealthier they will also become more democratic. This study proposes that middle-class consumption is a missing variable in the causal chain for democratization in Northeast Asian countries under authoritarian control. The study examines the effects of consumption in a cross-country comparison of South Korea and Taiwan during the years immediately prior to their respective democratizations. South Korea's middle-class consumption patterns evolved after decades of rapid economic growth, and state-induced wage pressure made the aspirational middle-class lifestyle unaffordable to lower middle-class Koreans. This consumption disparity caused the structurally disadvantaged working-class Koreans to join national protests that ultimately ushered in democracy. Examining modern China, the study finds a similar consumption disparity among the middle classes resulting from income inequality and a mobility-restraining household registration system. There exists a key political tension around structurally disadvantaged Chinese migrant workers earning lower wages and lacking welfare mechanisms afforded to urban residents under the hukou system. With the size of China's lower middle class expected to sharply expand over the next decade, the tension around consumption could act as a catalyst for middle-class led democratization.
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION * A. QUESTION AND ARGUMENT * B. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION * C. VARIABLES AND POTENTIAL EXPLANATIONS * D. RESEARCH DESIGN * E. MAIN FINDINGS AND ROADMAP * CHAPTER II - LITERATURE REVIEW * A. OVERVIEW * B. MODERNIZATION THEORY * C. CONSUMPTION THEORY * D. CHINA'S MIDDLE CLASS * E. POLITICAL ECONOMY OF DEMOCRATIC TRANSITIONS * CHAPTER III - KOREA AND TAIWAN * A. INTRODUCTION * B. KOREA * 1. Economic Causal Factors for Democratization * 2. Political Causal Factors of Democratization * 3. South Korea's Middle Class * 4. Middle-Class Consumption * C. TAIWAN * 1. American Patronage * 2. Soft Authoritarianism and Export-Oriented Growth * 3. Intervening Variables for Democratization * 4. Taiwan's Middle Class * 5. CONCLUSION * D. COUNTRY COMPARISON: KOREA AND TAIWAN * CHAPTER IV - CHINA * A. INTRODUCTION * B. REFORM AND ECONOMIC RISE * C. POLITICAL TENSIONS: MAJOR FAULT LINES * 1. Suppression of Democratic Starts: Tiananmen * 2. Inequality * 3. Party Corruption * 4. Residency * 5. Media Control * 6. Welfare * 7. Environmental Issues * D. CONSUMPTION IN MAO-ERA CHINA * E. CONSUMPTION IN POST-MAO CHINA * F. CHINA'S RISING MIDDLE CLASS * 1. Attitudes Toward Political Change * 2. Success: Money And Social Status * 3. Aspirational Lifestyles * G. IMPACT OF MIDDLE-CLASS CONSUMPTION * H. POLITICAL INACTION AMONG CHINA'S MIDDLE CLASS * 1. Consumerism * 2. Crisis Intervention * 3. Appeasing the Wealthy * I. FUTURE PROSPECTS OF MIDDLE-CLASS DEMOCRATIZATION * J. CONCLUSION * CHAPTER V - CONCLUSION

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This important report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Despite four decades of astonishing economic growth, China's authoritarian government remains firmly entrenched in power. This fact challenges modernization theory, which anticipates that as countries become wealthier they will also become more democratic. This study proposes that middle-class consumption is a missing variable in the causal chain for democratization in Northeast Asian countries under authoritarian control. The study examines the effects of consumption in a cross-country comparison of South Korea and Taiwan during the years immediately prior to their respective democratizations. South Korea's middle-class consumption patterns evolved after decades of rapid economic growth, and state-induced wage pressure made the aspirational middle-class lifestyle unaffordable to lower middle-class Koreans. This consumption disparity caused the structurally disadvantaged working-class Koreans to join national protests that ultimately ushered in democracy. Examining modern China, the study finds a similar consumption disparity among the middle classes resulting from income inequality and a mobility-restraining household registration system. There exists a key political tension around structurally disadvantaged Chinese migrant workers earning lower wages and lacking welfare mechanisms afforded to urban residents under the hukou system. With the size of China's lower middle class expected to sharply expand over the next decade, the tension around consumption could act as a catalyst for middle-class led democratization.
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION * A. QUESTION AND ARGUMENT * B. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION * C. VARIABLES AND POTENTIAL EXPLANATIONS * D. RESEARCH DESIGN * E. MAIN FINDINGS AND ROADMAP * CHAPTER II - LITERATURE REVIEW * A. OVERVIEW * B. MODERNIZATION THEORY * C. CONSUMPTION THEORY * D. CHINA'S MIDDLE CLASS * E. POLITICAL ECONOMY OF DEMOCRATIC TRANSITIONS * CHAPTER III - KOREA AND TAIWAN * A. INTRODUCTION * B. KOREA * 1. Economic Causal Factors for Democratization * 2. Political Causal Factors of Democratization * 3. South Korea's Middle Class * 4. Middle-Class Consumption * C. TAIWAN * 1. American Patronage * 2. Soft Authoritarianism and Export-Oriented Growth * 3. Intervening Variables for Democratization * 4. Taiwan's Middle Class * 5. CONCLUSION * D. COUNTRY COMPARISON: KOREA AND TAIWAN * CHAPTER IV - CHINA * A. INTRODUCTION * B. REFORM AND ECONOMIC RISE * C. POLITICAL TENSIONS: MAJOR FAULT LINES * 1. Suppression of Democratic Starts: Tiananmen * 2. Inequality * 3. Party Corruption * 4. Residency * 5. Media Control * 6. Welfare * 7. Environmental Issues * D. CONSUMPTION IN MAO-ERA CHINA * E. CONSUMPTION IN POST-MAO CHINA * F. CHINA'S RISING MIDDLE CLASS * 1. Attitudes Toward Political Change * 2. Success: Money And Social Status * 3. Aspirational Lifestyles * G. IMPACT OF MIDDLE-CLASS CONSUMPTION * H. POLITICAL INACTION AMONG CHINA'S MIDDLE CLASS * 1. Consumerism * 2. Crisis Intervention * 3. Appeasing the Wealthy * I. FUTURE PROSPECTS OF MIDDLE-CLASS DEMOCRATIZATION * J. CONCLUSION * CHAPTER V - CONCLUSION

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Crafting Flight: Aircraft Pioneers and the Contributions of the Men and Women of NASA Langley Research Center - NACA Aviation History, Apollo Moon Landing, Viking Mars, Jet Airplanes, Wind Tunnels by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Averting a Massacre in Libya: Speech by President Barack Obama, March 28, 2011 - The American-led Military Action against Muammar Qaddafi (al Qadhafi, Gadhafi, Gaddafi) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Policy Analysis in National Security Affairs: New Methods for a New Era, Weapons, Strategies, Nuclear and Conventional Roles, Alliance Leadership, Stability in a Dangerous World, Promoting Democracy by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Southeast Asia: ISIS's Next Front - Islamic State Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) Establishing Networks in Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, Ways to Detect and Improve Key Vulnerabilities by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Group That Calls Itself a State: Understanding the Evolution and Challenges of the Islamic State - ISIS, ISIL, Islamic Terrorism, Parting Ways with al-Qaida, Military, Foreign Fighter Threat by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Fire in the City: Airpower in Urban, Smaller-Scale Contingencies (USSC) - Case Studies of Hue 1968, Siege of Beirut 1982, Operation Just Cause 1989, UNOSOM Somalia, Uphold Democracy 1994 by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Inside the International Space Station (ISS): NASA Thermal Control System (TCS) and Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) Astronaut Training Manuals by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program: Lunar Dust and Astronaut Spacesuit Contamination, Lessons from the Apollo Moonwalkers, Evaluation of Health Risks to Future Lunar Explorers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Dragon's Reach: An Assessment of the People's Republic of China's Expeditionary Capabilities – Chinese Force Projection, Liberation Army Threats to U.S. Interests, Anti-Access/Area Denial Plans by Progressive Management
Cover of the book National Defense Intelligence College Paper: Courting a Reluctant Ally - An Evaluation of U.S./UK Naval Intelligence Cooperation, 1935-1941, Franklin Roosevelt, OSS, Commander Ian Fleming by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Gangs and Crime in America: Transnational Threats from the Mara Salvatrucha MS-13 and 18th Street Gangs, Origins, Relationship to Street Gangs, Federal Response, El Salvador Initiative, RICO Act by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Essential Guide to Child Abuse and Missing Children: Law Enforcement and Family Response, Injuries, Illness, Fatalities, STDs and Sexual Abuse, Battered Child Syndrome, Burn Injuries, AMBER Alert by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2011 Introduction to Wind Power and Wind Energy Systems: Practical Information about America's Wind Program, Turbines, Consumer Guide, Federal Incentives, Large and Small Systems by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Development of Maritime Patrol Aviation in the Interwar Period, 1918-1941: Covering World War I, Rigid Airships, Flying Boat, Bureau of Aeronautics BuAer and OpNav, London Naval Conference by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program: Catalog of Apollo Experiment Operations (NASA Reference Publication 1317) ALSEP, Geology and Microgravity Experiments by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy