Organizing through division and exclusion : China's hukou system / Fei-Ling Wang

"This book is the first comprehensive examination of China's hukou (household registration) system, which registers and governs 1.3 billion Chinese. With its vast reach, this system not only affects the daily lives of Chinese citizens in many domains, but also shapes China's sociopolitical structure and socioeconomic development." "Using new materials, this book traces the history and development of the hukou system. In addition to exploring the functions, impact, and operational mechanisms of the system, the book also analyzes its exclusionary and discriminatory aspects in comparison to similar systems in other nations, notably Brazil and India. Through its detailed study of a system that has had such a significant impact on Chinese society, this book presents keys for understanding China's past, present, and future."--BOOK JACKET.