Value Shifts in the Chinese Middle Class: From Meritocracy to Uncertainty

The article examines the transformation of Chinese middle class values in the context of economic slowdown, demographic decline and growing social uncertainty. An examination of existing sociological data, as well as the works of Chinese scholars, demonstrates that the previously dominant belief in meritocracy – the con-viction that success is attainable through personal abilities and diligence – has been significantly eroded among the youth and the urban intelligentsia. This erosion of faith has resulted in a series of negative consequences, including diminished work motivation (exemplified by the phenomenon of “tangping”), heightened anxiety, and an increase in debt burdens. Following a representation of the essence of the observed changes in modern Chinese society from an axiological perspective, the author proposes potential state reforms that could ameliorate the situation. Overall, the study provides a description of the ongoing crisis of trust towards the system and its social ramifications in China. Additionally, it outlines possible pathways for addressing the problem at the institutional level.