Running Status Investigation System Of Subsistence Allowances For Residents In Rural Communitieschengdu

Due to a huge population base and historical reasons, China, with its booming economics and improving living conditions, is now threatened with a widening gap between rich and poor. People living at the bottom of the society, especially those in rural areas, are now suffering severe poverty. The Chinese government has never ceased its efforts in securing the basic living conditions for poverty-stricken people living in the countryside. By the end of June2012, Rural Subsistence Security System, which was initially explored at the16th Party Congress, has reached all31provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Sichuan Province, as a major agricultural province, offers a critical support for the development of the economics in western China. It is on this account that the author believes the development of subsistence security system in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, would make a good indicator that reflects, to a certain degree, the security system development in western China.The thesis aims to investigate the current rural subsistence security system, offer an insight into the disparity between demand and supply, and accordingly provide a reasonable advice for the improvement of the rural subsistence security system.Having recourse to Amartya Sen’s theory of poverty, Hayek’s theory of a limited security and absolute security etc., the thesis has, by way of an interpretation of the concept of rural subsistence security system, adopting SPSS software for the analysis of the samples drawn from six communities of Wenjiang District, produced a summary of the status quo regarding the implementation of rural subsistence security system in Wenjiang, and revealed several common issues. The thesis is structured as follows:The First Part is an introduction that describes the whole frame of the thesis and the design of the research, and it covers the following sections:background and significance of the research, literature review, concepts and definition, target of the research, methodology, and technical approaches; the Second Part is chiefly a summary of the rural subsistence security system, including the establishment and development of rural subsistence security system nationwide, and that in Wenjiang District of Chengdu; the Third Part delivers an analysis of the said security system in Wenjiang District, including an overview of the samples, a general introduction of the interviewees, and the issues existing in the operation of the security system; the Fourth Part offers a reasonable suggestion in response to the security system issues discovered in Wenjiang; the Fifth Part, which is the Conclusion, renders a summary of the status quo, issues and relevant suggestions in regard to the research of the rural subsistence security system adopted in Wenjiang District.Conclusion of the Research:(1)Coverage of rural subsistence security system in Wenjiang District, Chengdu, is generally maintained at a steady level, and slightly diminishes a little, though, since its implementation. By the end of December2011, there were1431households and2818persons who enjoy rural subsistence security system, a number about211persons less than the previous year.(2)Degree of satisfaction varies among the people who enjoy the security system. Statistics shows that there are nine variants that hold an influence over the satisfaction degree, which are:qualification for entering subsistence security system, effective implementation of subsistence security policies, actual enjoyment of the subsistence security system, coverage of the system, necessity of increasing social relief fund, implementation of other supporting policies, dynamic management of the system, efforts made by the government, general goodness.(3) There are still many problems arising from the implementation of the system in the rural areas of Wenjiang District, Chengdu. In regard to the system per se, the issues include:narrow coverage, low relief fund, imperfect supporting measures; in regard to the operation of the system, the issues include:lack of enough fund-raising channels and dynamical management; besides, the government’s underemphasis has also led to a poor promotion and a shortage of staff and capacity.Based on the issues mentioned above, the author suggested countermeasures from the point of view of the government as well as of the grassroots communities. The government is advised to strengthen the investment in order to increase the security coverage, improve the security level, amend supporting measures, and widen fund-raising channels; as to the community level, it is advised to follow a mode of dynamic management, strengthen promotion, and create professional teams. The author believes that the eight measures mentioned above will effect a more effective and powerful enhancement of the rural subsistence security system.