Jiwei Lou and Shuilin Wang, eds., Public Finance in China: Reform and Growth for a Harmonious Society

摘要

China has been the world's most successful developing country since opening up its economy in 1978. Its remarkable economic and social transformation was achieved along with a 9% annual growth rate over the past 30 years. This sustained growth reduced the poverty rate tremendously, but brought, however, increased income inequalities and social conflicts. The current Chinese government aims to rectify imbalances in economic and social development with a special emphasis on harmony with society and the environment. This volume examines how public finance needs to change so the government can realize its goal of creating a "harmonious society." It has 17 chapters, of which the first four introduce China's public finances, the economic role of the state, and the country's economic transformation. Parts two and three contain five chapters which deal with the issues of fiscal reform, revenue allocations, intergovernmental relations, and fiscal transfers. The last four parts incorporate a total of eight chapters which focus on reforms in education, public health, social security and inequality, and fiscal policy, such reforms geared toward realizing a harmonious society.