从机会均等到结果平等:中国收入分配现状与出路

From Opportunity Equity to Income Equality:Income Distribution Dynamics in China

中国已经是世界上收入差距最大的国家之一,机会不均等是收入差距持续扩大的重要原因,也是滋生社会矛盾和冲突的主要源泉。文章首先基于最新数据全面刻画了中国收入分配的现状,在此基础上,分别分析经济增长和经济转型过程中各类机会不均等的起因,探讨机会不均等对收入分配的影响。研究发现,政府"越位"和"缺位"并存是中国机会不均等的根本原因,政府政策在初次分配和再分配中都扮演着重要角色,是机会均等化的核心力量。因此,切实转变政府职能是促进机会均等化,改善收入分配的根本途径。

China＇s income distribution has one of the biggest disparities in the world. Unequal opportunities are the most important reason for the widening income gap, and the main source of social discontent and social con- flict. This paper comprehensively describes the current situation of China＇s income distribution based on the lat- est data. We analyze the possible reasons for the widening income disparity in China from the perspective of e- conomic development and economic transition, focusing on the role of opportunity equity on income distribution. Government policies play an important role in income distribution, as they are crucial for promoting opportunity equity. We find that dysfunctional government institutions and policies are the main cause of opportunity inequi- ty in China. Therefore, the fundamental way to promote opportunity equity and income equality is to reform those institutions and policies effectively.