If your book club values intellectually rich, globally relevant reads that challenge mainstream narratives, Poverty and Pacification: The Chinese State Abandons the Old Working Class by Dorothy J. Solinger is a powerful and discussion-worthy choice.
For decades, China’s rapid modernization has been celebrated as one of the most dramatic economic transformations in history. But behind that success story lies a largely untold human cost. In the mid-1990s, as state-owned factories faltered and market reforms accelerated, tens of millions of previously secure, lifetime-employed urban workers were laid off. These were individuals who had built their identities around guaranteed employment, only to find themselves abruptly abandoned.
Solinger’s work goes beyond policy analysis — it brings readers face-to-face with the lived experiences of displaced workers. Through dozens of interviews, she reveals the emotional, social, and financial devastation that followed. The introduction of the Minimum Livelihood Guarantee (dibao) is examined not just as welfare policy, but as a political strategy designed to maintain stability while reforms continued.
Why This Book Will Spark Meaningful Discussion:
It reframes modernization as a story with winners and losers.
It explores the fragile relationship between citizens and the state.
It raises questions about poverty created by policy decisions.
It connects global capitalism to deeply personal human consequences.
For decades, China’s rapid modernization has been celebrated as one of the most dramatic economic transformations in history. But behind that success story lies a largely untold human cost. In the mid-1990s, as state-owned factories faltered and market reforms accelerated, tens of millions of previously secure, lifetime-employed urban workers were laid off. These were individuals who had built their identities around guaranteed employment, only to find themselves abruptly abandoned.
Solinger’s work goes beyond policy analysis — it brings readers face-to-face with the lived experiences of displaced workers. Through dozens of interviews, she reveals the emotional, social, and financial devastation that followed. The introduction of the Minimum Livelihood Guarantee (dibao) is examined not just as welfare policy, but as a political strategy designed to maintain stability while reforms continued.
Why This Book Will Spark Meaningful Discussion:
It reframes modernization as a story with winners and losers.
It explores the fragile relationship between citizens and the state.
It raises questions about poverty created by policy decisions.
It connects global capitalism to deeply personal human consequences.
This selection promises thoughtful, layered conversations about progress, power, and responsibility — making it an ideal and impactful addition to your book club lineup.
Poverty and Pacification: The Chinese State Abandons the Old Working Class
Dorothy J. Solinger