SOSC 103DSocial Inequality in HK

Lecture 7: Class Studies

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Class studies in Hong KongBackground: A rapid economic

growth since late 60s Development of social

policies in 70s Experience an overall

betterment of lives Improvement in terms of

housing, education, medical services

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Class studies in late 1970s Framework:

The descriptive and predictive power of Marxist Theory

Main Concern and argument: even the working-class people are now

enjoying a middle-class way of life. (late 70s)

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Class studies in late 1980sChange in the economic structureChange in the occupational structure

accordingly

Fishing

Manufacturing

Tourism

Banking &Financing

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Occupations/ Year 1961 1971 1981 1991 1961-71

1971-81

Professional 61k 80k 144k 237k +31% +85%

Administrator/ Manager

37k 38k 64k 139k +3% +71%

Clerical worker 70k 129k 294k 504k +85% +129%

Sales 163k 164k 248k 313k +1% +51%

Service worker 180k 230k 374k 507k +28% +63%

Fisherman/ Farmer 88k 59k 51k 25k -32% -15%

Production workers: Transport, Storage & Machine operators

580k 808k 1213k

982k +39% +50%

Unclassifiable 13k 40k 17k 8k +201%

-57%

Total 1,191k

1,547k

2,404k 2,715k

+29% +55%

Distribution of working population by occupations

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Other Hong Kong Studies Chinese society Hong

Kong urban industrial society

Traditional Chinese culture Modern urban culture

• Ethos of HK Chinese

• Industrial development

• Colonial history and Social policies

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HK Class Structure in late 80s

Social Class %I Higher managerial & professional

occupations8.6

II Lower managerial & professional occupations

11.3

III Intermediate (white collar) occupations 9.6IV Small employers and own-account

workers14.0

V Lower-grade technicians, supervisors 15.9VI Skilled manual workers 15.8VII Semi-skilled to unskilled workers,

agricultural24.8

20%

40%

40%

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The Rise of Middle Classes (80s)

Class Structure: From triangle to diamond shape

Main Concern and Argument:Most of people in HK are now middle-classIncreasing number of working-class people have became middle-class

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Results of the Development

An intellectual challenge of class studies:

Death of class

When the whole society become a middle class society: equal and fair

Limited inequalities in: Income Educational attainment Housing resources

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Readings:

Leung, Benjamin K. P. (1994) “Class and Class Formation in Hong Kong Studies,” in S.K. Lau, et al. (ed.) Inequalities and Development: Social Stratification in Chinese Societies

Optional Readings:

呂大樂 , 黃偉邦 (1998) 階級分析與香港 , 第一章 (email me for an English version if you’re interested)