SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE XXI CENTURY: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MIDDLE CLASS AND PROFESSIONAL STRUCTURE IN RUSSIA AND CHINA

Wang Jianguang

This study provides a general analysis of socio-economic transformations in Russia and China at the dawn of the 21st century, highlighting key changes in the structure of the middle class and the professional sphere. The author examines the influence of global economic trends and national policies on the formation and development of new social classes in both countries. In China, thanks to economic reform policies and growing urbanization, the middle class is rapidly expanding and strengthening, stimulating the domestic consumer market and leading to social changes in traditional structures. In Russia, the transition to a market economy and globalization contribute to the formation of new classes, including entrepreneurs and specialists, which introduces new elements into the multi-level social structure of the country. The study emphasizes that, despite the diversity of historical, economic and social contexts, Russia and China demonstrate common trends in the development of new social classes, which is a reflection of both global processes and national characteristics. The author analyzes these transformations through the lens of various scientific theories, including modernization theory, dependency theory, Wallerstein's world system theory, and theories of social stratification and class analysis. The study contributes to the understanding of complex socio-economic processes of our time, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to the analysis of social change. It raises questions about the future of social mobility, inequality and the effectiveness of social inclusion in a globalized world, suggesting directions for further research and policy action.

Keywords:Social transformations, middle class, professional structure, economic reforms, urbanization.