Social Polarisation: Comparing Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei

Social polarization theory assumes that the world's major cities tend to divide into dual social strata. However, in the context of developmental states integrated into the Greater South China economic zone, an empirical study of three Asian cities challenges the social polarization hypothesis and suggests alternative forms of social transformation. Data on changes in employment, occupation, and household income in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taipei show that urban regimes and social policies instigated by developmental states play a decisive role in the formation of social inequality and marginal urban populations.

Autorentext

Po-Fen Tai is the Professor of Sociology at the Fu Jen Catholic University of Taiwan. She received her PhD. in the Graduate Institute of Building and Planning, National Taiwan University in 2000. Tai has written essays on the comparative study of Asian cities and higher education. She is engaged in education reform and community movement.

Klappentext

Social polarization theory assumes that the world's major cities tend to divide into dual social strata. However, in the context of developmental states integrated into the Greater South China economic zone, an empirical study of three Asian cities challenges the social polarization hypothesis and suggests alternative forms of social transformation. Data on changes in employment, occupation, and household income in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taipei show that urban regimes and social policies instigated by developmental states play a decisive role in the formation of social inequality and marginal urban populations.