The research focuses of this section includes:

(1) On the basis of comparative studies of social development theories from oversea and China, to conduct studies on the tendencies and mechanisms of social change in contemporary China, and on the social reconstruction and management issues emerging in the process of social change, with the goal of developing theories of social development with Chinese characteristics and, at the same time, in accordance with general tendencies in the world, through a combination of theoretical studies and empirical research.

(2) To conduct a general social survey (GSS) periodically, in order to build a databank for the study of basic status and situation of contemporary China and related sociological research. At present, the team is in full sail making the “Nationwide Survey on the Social Stability Status of China”.

(3) To undertake the temporary research tasks about national strategies and policies of social development from the higher-ups.

The research team places a special emphasis on the integration of theoretical and applied studies. The team will try to serve the innovations of social development theories, the institutions and policies of social building and management of China, and to serve the social modernization of China. On the basis of the practice of Chinese social development, the team pays much attention to the application of multiple methodologies and approaches to undertake empirical research on social development policies and strategies, including quantitative and qualitative methods, general social survey and case study, historical perspective and internationally comparative perspective.

Department Members:

Director: LI Wei

Deputy Director: ZOU Yuchun(Female)

Member: FAN Lei , CUI Yan , ZHANG Liping(Female)