Does Higher Education Break down Social Class Solidification? An Empirical Study Based on Ordered-probit Semi-parameter Estimation and Shapely Value Decomposition

Zhang Ming; Zhang Xuemin; Tu Xianjin

doi:doi:10.16538/j.cnki.jfe.2016.08.002

Abstract

Based on CGSS2013, this paper firstly employs ordered-probit semi-parameter estimation model to test the effect of higher education on social classes. Secondly, it measures the contribution of higher education to the formation of social classes by using Sharply value method based on R², and sheds light on the evolution of higher education affected by economic development and marketization transformation from a regional perspective. It arrives at the results as follows: firstly, the residents who receive higher education actually gain higher social class assessment; however, if the gap between higher education opportunities resulting from family background is eliminated, the role of higher education in promoting the flow of social classes obviously weakens; furthermore, Sharply value decomposition based on R² shows that the contribution rate of higher education variable is under 10 percent, and after skimming intergenerational effect of higher education, the net effect is even lower; secondly, in East China, weak evidence shows that the positive effect of higher education on social classes is emerging; as for both total contribution rate and decomposed direct contribution rate, the contribution rate of East China is higher than the ones of Central China and West China, showing that as economic development and marketization reform advance, the effect of higher education on improving social classes may strengthen; thirdly, past social classes families belong to are the most important factor affecting differences in social classes, namely there is obvious intergenerational transmission in social class distribution; in addition, individual characteristics and economic features are critical factors affecting social classes. It shows that in order to further advance the formation of openness social classes, it is necessary to establish more fair higher education competition mechanism and compensation mechanism in the framework of new-type social mobility system with market-oriented capability standard.