China's Age of Abundance: Origins, Ascendance, and Aftermath

Between the 1980s and the present day, China has experienced one of the most consequential economic transformations in world history. One-fifth of the Earth's population has left behind a life of scarcity and subsistence for one of abundance and material comfort, while their nation has emerged as a preeminent economic and political power. In a systematic historical and sociological analysis of this unique juncture, Wang Feng charts the origins, forces, and consequences of this meteoric rise in living standards. He shifts the focus away from institutions and policies to offer new perspectives based on consumption among poorer, rural populations as a driver of global economic change. But is this 'Age of Abundance' coming to an end? Anticipating potential headwinds, including an aging population, increasing inequality, and intensifying political control, Wang explores whether this preeminence could be coming to a close.

在1980年代至今，中國經歷了世界歷史上最重大的經濟轉型之一。地球上五分之一的人口從貧困和生存的生活中走出來，轉向了豐富和物質舒適的生活，同時他們的國家也崛起為一個卓越的經濟和政治大國。在對這個獨特時刻進行系統的歷史和社會學分析中，王峰描述了這種生活水平的迅猛提升的起源、力量和後果。他將焦點從制度和政策轉移到了貧困的農村人口的消費行為，作為全球經濟變革的驅動力，提供了新的觀點。但是，這個「豐盛時代」是否即將結束？王峰預見到可能出現的阻力，包括人口老齡化、不平等加劇和政治控制加強，他探討了這種卓越地位是否可能即將結束。