COVID-19 and social inequality in China: the local–migrant divide and the limits of social protections in a pandemic

Abstract The existing literature suggests that external shocks, such as pandemics, stimulate people’s demand for social protections and prompt them to favor short-term consumption over long-term investments. However, this argument may not apply fully in a society with an urban–rural divide addition unequal welfare system. Through telephone survey conducted July 2020, study sought investigate public opinions on the policy response coronavirus disease pandemic China. Quantitative evidence showed large economic hardship among respondents, who expressed strong expectation labor market interventions instead of assistance. This reveals preexisting inequalities access benefits have led local residents migrants develop differential preferences policies. attitudinal heterogeneity is illustrative Chinese system well dynamics resulted from massive internal migration informalization workforce. division between locals China’s urban has shaped demarcation two groups through peculiar interpretive feedback effects.