We conclude this book with the next two chapters. In Chapter 11, we summarize the major findings regarding the first theme of this book – redistribution and stratification dynamics under state socialism – and discuss the implications of these findings for theoretical models of social stratification in state socialist societies. In Chapter 12, we turn to issues related to the second theme of our study – sources and direction of institutional changes in urban China and consider the consequences of stratification dynamics for the transformation of state socialism in China. We conclude this study with a discussion of the implications of the Chinese experience for understanding relationships between the state and society in a comparative perspective.