theguardian.com
Neijuan": China's Youth Face Diminishing Returns
Neijuan, or "involution," reflects the diminishing returns felt by many young Chinese despite hard work, fueled by high youth unemployment (17.1%), overproduction in some sectors, and limited opportunities, prompting social trends such as "lying flat" and emigration.
- What specific government policies are intended to alleviate the effects of "neijuan," and what are their limitations?
- The concept, popularized in 2020, reflects a societal shift where decades of rapid growth have yielded fewer opportunities for younger generations. High youth unemployment (17.1% in latest data) and overproduction in certain sectors exacerbate this, despite government efforts to boost high-tech industries.
- How does the widespread feeling of "neijuan" (involution) in China impact the country's economic growth and social stability?
- Neijuan," or involution, describes the feeling of diminishing returns in China's economy, impacting millennials and Gen Z who face high competition and limited opportunities despite hard work. This has led to social trends like "tangping" (lying flat) and emigration.
- What are the potential long-term social and political consequences if China fails to effectively address the underlying causes of "neijuan"?
- China's economic policies face a challenge: While investing in new technologies, overproduction and sanctions create price wars, hindering profitability and fueling neijuan. The long-term impact could involve social unrest if the government fails to address the underlying issues of economic disparity and opportunity.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely neutral. The article presents the phenomenon of neijuan objectively, explaining its meaning, origins, and impact without overtly favoring any particular viewpoint. While it highlights the concerns of the Chinese government, this is presented as factual reporting rather than biased advocacy.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the Chinese perspective of neijuan and its impact on the younger generation. While it mentions US sanctions and Western markets, it omits a detailed analysis of global economic factors contributing to China's economic slowdown. The lack of diverse perspectives from international economists or analysts could limit the reader's understanding of the issue's broader context. However, given the article's focus on the domestic Chinese experience of neijuan, the omission might be considered a reasonable choice to maintain focus.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the phenomenon of "neijuan" (involution) in China, where despite hard work, progress is perceived as impossible, leading to increased inequality and a sense of diminishing returns, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. High youth unemployment further exacerbates this inequality. The government's response, while aiming to rectify the situation, doesn't directly address the root causes of this perceived inequality.