Market Economy and Social Justice: The Predicament of the Underprivileged

As China's economic growth continues, more and more people in China have become affluent and have joined the middle-class ranks. At the same time, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, so much so, that the gap may lead to social instability which may derail the economic development. The frequent mine explosions and the large number of deaths of mine workers, the irregular wage payment or non-payment to migrant workers, and the skyrocketing medical charges are just a few examples. Any society in transition experiences difficulties. The magnitude of the difficulty in China however is alarming. This paper attempts to examine the potential causes of the problems suffered by migrant workers, coal miners, and hospital patients and to discuss the consequences if those problems are not dealt with properly.