The growing gap between the rich and poor is leading to fault lines in Chinese society. Moving from a "pyramid" to an "olive-shaped" social structure is seen by experts the way to avoid instability. But Professor Yu Jianrong of the Rural Development Institute under the Chinese Academy of Social Science says the adjustment won't be easy.

Q: What are the main social classes in a so-called pyramidal social structure?

A: There are three social classes. The first is the elite that monopolizes power and capital. The second is the middle class, which includes some officials and entrepreneurs. The third is the ordinary people who lack basic social security.

Q: What are the main features of China's pyramidal social structure?

A: First, the elite class has become more and more exclusive. Social stratification exists in every society, but in China, the elite at the top of the pyramid has become an exclusive social circle.

Second, social mobility is unidirectional. Due to the exclusiveness of the elite, social mobility is one-way in China. That is to say, it is easy for members of the upper class to drop to a lower class, but upward mobility is very difficult.

Third: The middle and lower classes are subordinate to the upper class. Elite control of power and wealth has turned the middle and lower class into their subordinates.

Q: What led to the pyramidal social structure?

A: The basic reason is power. In China, power plays such an important role that people who have power are able to control other social resources. It is this combination of power and wealth that has led to the huge gap between rich and poor.

What is more, Confucian culture emphasizes deference, and this provides a theoretical justification for the pyramidal social structure.

Q: What kind of problems do you think the pyramidal social structure will cause? Why should the pyramidal social structure be transformed into an olive one?

A: Pyramidal social structures result in instability. The unbalanced distribution of social resources results in a huge gap between rich and poor. Conflicts between classes are extremely intense.

An "olive-shaped" social structure is more stable. In an "olive" society the middle class outnumbers the other two classes. The middle class is the key to a stable society and also acts as a buffer between the elite and the lower class. A large middle class means a more reasonable distribution of resources and less class conflict.

What's worrying is that in China the lower class is getting bigger and bigger. It is true that lower-class living standards have improved in recent years. But more and more people have joined the lower class. The most important thing is that these people lack the basic security that comes with middle class status.

Q: Do you think China already has a middle class?

A: What does middle class mean? Are white collar workers middle class? Not really. Middle class means not having to worry about earning a reasonable living. Take university students for example; they have higher education, but many become lower class immediately after graduation. White collar workers, who are envied by many, have nothing if they lose their jobs. So, in my opinion, China does not yet have a middle class.

A lawyer once complained to me that despite working in Beijing for five years his application for a permanent residence permit had been turned down. I told him his situation was not uncommon. Being a lawyer doesn't mean you are better off than others. It is true that white collar workers earn more than migrant workers, but in terms of political status, they are the same.

Q: How can the pyramidal social structure be changed?

A: There are three ways: first, we must reform the way society is managed. Give the ordinary people equal opportunities by abolishing unreasonable rules.

Second, improve the distribution of resources and narrow the gap between the rich and poor. Imposing progressive taxation on the wealthy is almost universal elsewhere in the world. This means the government acts as Robin Hood by "robbing the rich to help the poor."

Third, enhance the public's sense of participation through citizen education. A solid civil society is an important bulwark to protect individual rights. Enhancing the sense of participation and fostering civil society is an essential part of changing the social structure.

Q: Do you think it is possible to use the external pressure to push forward the reform?

A: No way. Using outside pressure might lead to social collapse. From my perspective, the only way forward is to appeal to the Constitution. This is the safest and most stable way.

Q: How long do you think it will take for China to change into an "olive society"?

A: It will take a long time to change the social structure. There are two preconditions for achieving this goal: one is sustainable social and economic development and broader public participation, the other is the courage and wisdom of the leaders to push forward reforms. Personally, I think it will take 30 years.

(This article was translated by Xiang Bin.)