Hong Kong Story - Lecture 9

Hong Kong Story - Lecture 9

• This lecture examines Hong Kong as a divided society, exploring the transition from a land of opportunity to one of inequality.
• The lecture covers the following key topics:
  • Standard definition (SD) explanations and myths relating to the "land of opportunity" and inequality
  • High definition (HD) perspective of mobility pathways
  • HD perspective, the Middle Class debate in Hong Kong
  • HD perspective, Hong Kong as Global City and China opportunities
  • HD perspective, recent developments: The China opportunity and the University dream
  • Conclusion

Lecture Outline

• Topic I: Standard Definition (SD)

  • Explanations and myths of Hong Kong as a land of opportunity and inequality.

• Topic II: High Definition (HD) (1)

  • Understanding mobility pathways in Hong Kong.

• Topic III: HD (2)

  • The Middle Class debate in Hong Kong.

• Topic IV: HD (3)

  • Hong Kong as a global city and China opportunities.

• Topic V: HD (4)

  • Recent development, the China opportunity and the university dream.

• Topic VI: Conclusion

Additional notes

• The Great British class calculator is discussed, which analyzes social class in the UK.

• A case study of Li Ka-shing is considered, analyzing wealth and opportunity.

• A major divorce case in Hong Kong ($154,000,000) is presented.

• The lecture mentions a discussion about the Hong Kong dream and becoming middle class.

• There is a discussion of how the middle class is described in the media, including stable income, accumulating wealth, and the hope of a better life.

• The lecture analyses the life of the poor in Hong Kong, including living on HK$3000 a month and collecting card board.

• The lecture discusses housing issues, specifically subdivided units.

• The lecture investigates possible SD images of the topic, including industrialization, globalization, and the rise of social unrest, examining how these periods affect the land of opportunity ideal

• The lecture explores the complex relationship between inequality and polarization.

• A framework of analysis is proposed by John Goldthorpe.

• Sociological arguments and evidence related to HK, non-structural approaches, cultural explanations are discussed, including a perception of HK society as a complex, amorphous entity.

• A study of social mobility pathways (Wong and Lui, 1992) is analyzed, with topics of postwar periods, structural mobility, types of mobility, different dreams, and various classes

• Employment relations affecting life chances are discussed, considering the service class, intermediate class, and working class.

• Topics in Mobility pathways :

  • Postwar period of high mobility
  • Structural mobility vs circulation mobility
  • Reasons for mobility (education, expansion, absence of old ruling class)
  • Different dreams for diverse people
  • Various types of employment (professionals, entrepreneurs)

• The Hong Kong Class Structure (Wong and Lui 1992) is presented, detailing seven class distinctions.

• The lecture explains Wong and Lui's (1992) findings related to social mobility in HK (postwar period, different types of mobility, etc).

• Sociologist's findings are analyzed, including analysis of class consciousness, factors affecting life chances (market vs. social network), and the link between class and social orientation.

• Discussion of the global city concept, M-shaped society, and shrinking middle class.

• Further examination of upward mobility, the China opportunity, and recent developments regarding youth and opportunities.

• The lecture investigates the extent young people in HK are achieving China's opportunities, with consideration of age differences, and occupational differences.

• The impact of globalization, foreign domestic helpers, and immigration policy on mobility and other aspects are investigated.

• The lecture analyses the topic of welfare and taxes reducing inequality in HK, examining gini coefficients of different decades and countries, and their trends.

• The lecture analyzes the concept of downward mobility.

• Factors like education, economic structures, and social factors are investigated.

• The lecture concludes with a review of the findings and insights.

This lecture delves into the complex social fabric of Hong Kong, analyzing its evolution from a land of opportunity to one marked by inequality. Key discussions include myths surrounding social mobility, the role of the middle class, and the city's position as a global hub amidst changing dynamics with China.