Chinese Lifestyle

<p>The research presented in this book explores the formation of the middle class in contemporary urban China.</p><p>Including case studies on middle-class professionals living in Beijing this book analyses how social and economic changes to Chinese society create a middle-class lifestyle and new forms of distinction with a particular focus on the social construction of identity. Looking through the lens of individuals’ perception of life trajectories and ideological taxonomies generated within the framework of post-Maoist China the book uncovers the role that the Chinese middle-class play in a state-sponsored discourse and where the distinctions identifying the middle-class lifestyle produce inequality transfer privilege and disadvantage in contemporary urban China. It goes on to question hegemonic discourses on class arguing that a middle-class identity is progressively constructed in urban China not only though consumption practices but through the experience of non-individualistic activities in both the public and private spheres. </p><p>Analyzing how social distinctions are performed contributes to the understanding of the Chinese middle-class pre-pandemic as well as the continual challenges this social group shall face in the years to come. As such this is a must read for those interested in the Chinese middle-class Chinese politics and gender studies.</p>