This book provides a comprehensive overview of the emergence and development of sociological thought in China since the late Qing Dynasty, addressing the fundamental question of how to understand Chinese society and experience. It offers a concise yet thorough account of the major schools and movements in Chinese sociology, spotlighting influential figures, key ideas, and historical contexts. The characteristics of traditional Chinese society are examined, and four pivotal turning points in China's century-long transformation are identified. Focusing on social construction, class stratification, and institutional change since the Reform Era, the book integrates intellectual history with sociological analysis. By revealing a developmental path that diverges from Western models, the book offers new empirical evidence and theoretical insights into the dynamics of contemporary Chinese society. This valuable resource will appeal to scholars and students of sociology, Chinese society, and the Chinese economy, as well as general readers interested in China’s social and economic development.
