中國的貧富差距與社會動盪：理性唯物主義與社會心理學之分析

Abstract

本文探究中國貧富差距增大之現象對社會不穩定的影響，主要以兩個理論切入：理性唯物主義（分配衝突理論）與社會心理學（相對剝奪理論）。結果顯示中國的實際貧富不均相當嚴重、制度化，也是社會不穩定的重要來源之一。然而，這個關係需要透過若干認知過程，特別是相對社會比較，才產生影響。中國貧富差距的結構限制上層階級與下層階級之間的互動與比較，從而降低貧富不均所造成的社會動盪。

This thesis examines the relationship between rising inequality and social unrest in China. This relationship is approached from two theoretical angles: rational-materialist (distributive conflict theory), and socio-cognitive (relative- deprivation). The results show that objective inequality is highly institutionalized in China, and is indeed an important cause of social unrest in China. However, the strength of this connection is mediated by cognitive processes, particularly that of relative social comparison. The structure of inequality in China has limited social comparison between the advantaged and the disadvantaged, thereby minimizing inequality-induced social unrest.