The compliance challenge: Implications for social security in the People's Republic of China

Abstract   Discussion of social security compliance in developing societies has mainly focused on systemic administrative and operational issues. The article argues that analysis of compliance calls also for frameworks which draw lessons from nation-specific policy circumstances and comparisons of social protection regime types. Using such an approach, it also examines social security compliance in the context of China. Four considerations are found to be central to improved compliance: the sustainability of economic growth; trust in social institutions and regulations; the differing social values inherent in regime types; and institutional inertia accumulated in China's existing policy path.