Book Details

Rural China

Rural China

Fei Xiaotong / Shanghai People's Publishing House /April 1, 2006

Rural China is one of the representative works of Professor Fei Xiaotong, a famous sociologist. Based on long-term field investigations and surveys of rural China, the book deeply analyzes the traditional culture and social structure of rural China. Professor Fei Xiaotong reveals the internal logic and operating mechanism of rural China through analysis of rural economy, family, village, belief, morality, power and other aspects. This book not only has extremely high academic value, but also has important guiding significance for us to deeply understand the development and changes of rural China and promote the modernization process of rural China. Reading Rural China, we can not only feel Professor Fei Xiaotong's profound academic foundation and humanistic care, but also deeply understand the complexity and diversity of rural China, which provides us with important ideological resources to better understand and solve China's current problems.


Outline Notes

Book Summary of Rural ChinaChapter 1: Rural NatureSection 1: Definition and Characteristics of Rural Society - Definition: A social form with agriculture as the main mode of production. - Characteristics: Stable, self-sufficient, and close relationships based on geographical ties. Section 2: Land Dependence in Rural Society - Relationship between Farmers and Land: Farmers&39; survival and reproduction are closely related to the land. - Land Restrictions: Restricts population mobility and community expansion. Section 3: Characteristics of Acquaintance Society - Interpersonal Relationship: Face-to-face communities with high familiarity and transparent information. - Trust Structure: Trust based on long-term understanding, not contracts. Chapter 2: Text Goes to the CountrysideSection 1: The Necessity of Text in Rural Society - Functional Limitations: Text has a limited role in daily communication. - Communication Effect: Oral language is more effective in rural society. Section 2: Knowledge Transmission Methods in Rural Society - Non-Textual Inheritance: Experiential knowledge is more often passed on through oral and demonstration. - Speciality of language: Diversity and non-standardization of dialects. Chapter 3: Rediscussion on the spread of writing to the countrysideSection 1: The impact of cultural factors on the spread of writing to the countryside- Cultural background: The emphasis of Confucian culture on writing education. - Cultural differences: Cultural differences between urban and rural areas. Section 2: Writing and modern rural education- Modern education practice: Popularize compulsory education and promote the use of writing. - Challenges of education: Adapt to the special needs of rural society. Chapter 4: Differential patternSection 1: The concept of differential pattern- Definition: A social network centered on the individual. - Comparison: Comparison with the Western group pattern. Section 2: The social impact of differential pattern- Interpersonal relationship: The distance of the relationship determines the behavior pattern. - Moral concept: Moral judgment based on the relationship. Chapter 5: Maintaining private moralitySection 1: Definition and characteristics of private morality- Definition: The moral code of an individual in the private sphere. - Characteristics: Emphasis on the sense of honor of the family and the individual. Section 2: Maintenance of Private Morality in Rural Society - Family Concept: Family honor is higher than personal interests. - Social Pressure: Constraints on personal behavior by social opinion. Chapter 6: Elders’ RuleSection 1: Source of Elders’ Authority - Traditional Experience: Elders are holders of knowledge and experience. - Social Status: Determined by age, gender and social contribution. Section 2: Social Order under Elders’ Rule - Enlightenment Process: Young people learn social norms through imitation and obedience. - Social Change: Stability of Elders’ Rule and Challenges of Change. Chapter 7: No LitigationSection 1: Social Ideal of No Litigation - Avoiding Litigation: Litigation is seen as an act that undermines social harmony. - Mediation Mechanism: Attach importance to private resolution of disputes. Section 2: Law and Rural Society - Adaptability of Law: Tension between Modern Legal System and Rural Customs. - Role of Law: Dependence of Small Peasant Economy on Law in Modern Society. Chapter 8: Differences between Men and WomenSection 1: Social Role of Sex - Gender Difference: Reflection in Social Division of Labor and Cultural Expectations. - Regulation of Marriage: Marriage as a Tool for Maintaining Social Order. Section 2: Expression and Control of Emotions - Restraint of Emotions: Expression of Emotions in Rural Society is Restricted. - Emotional Control: Emotional Regulation for Social Stability. Chapter 9: Order of RitualsSection 1: Meaning and Social Function of Rituals - Ritual Behavior: The Normative and Integrative Function of Rituals in Rural Society. - Educational Function of Rituals: Shaping Individual Behavior through Rituals. Section 2: Modern Changes of Rituals - Influence of Modernization: The Adaptation and Change of Rituals in Modern Society. - Cultural Heritage: Rituals as the Continuation and Evolution of Traditional Culture. Chapter 10: Bloodline and GeographySection 1: The Bonding Function of Bloodline Relationships - Family Organization: The Establishment and Maintenance Mechanism of Bloodline Relationships. - Kinship Network: Bloodline Relationships Widely Existing in Rural Society. Section 2: The formation and development of geopolitical relations - Choice of settlement: geopolitical relations based on resources and land. - Geopolitical community: community community beyond blood relations.


Catchy Sentences

Of course, the following are wonderful sentences or paragraphs from Mr. Fei Xiaotong's book "Rural China". I will try to select those with profound meaning, unique perspective, beautiful language, wisdom or creativity, and output them according to the number. These contents are particularly suitable for readers and maintain a certain degree of professionalism. 1. "From the grassroots level, Chinese society is rural." - This sentence opens the topic and deeply reveals that the foundation of Chinese society lies in the countryside, setting the tone for the whole book. 2. "The life of rural society is rich in local characteristics." - This sentence concisely and beautifully describes the characteristics of rural society, namely regionality and closedness. 3. "In rural society, not only are words redundant, but language is not even the only symbolic system for conveying emotions." - The author points out from a unique perspective that in rural society, the importance of non-verbal communication exceeds that of words and speech. 4. "The credit of rural society is not the emphasis on contracts, but the reliability that occurs when one is so familiar with the rules of a behavior that one does not even have to think about it." - This sentence deeply analyzes the uniqueness of the credit system in rural society, which is based on habits and tacit understanding rather than contracts. 5. "In the differential mode of association, social relations are gradually extended from one person to another, which is the increase of private connections, and the social scope is a network composed of private connections." - The author creatively proposed the concept of "differential mode of association" and used vivid language to describe the social relationship network in rural society. 6. "We are all acquaintances, just say hello, is there any need to say more?" - Through the quotation of daily conversations, the characteristics of the acquaintance society in rural society and the trust logic behind it are shown. 7. "Etiquette is a socially recognized and appropriate behavioral norm." - This sentence concisely and clearly defines the role and status of "etiquette" in rural society. 8. "In rural society, the importance of tradition is greater than that of modern society." - The author emphasizes the importance of tradition in rural society, which is in sharp contrast with modern society. 9. "In the midst of change, habit is an obstacle to adaptation, and experience equals stubbornness and backwardness." - This sentence profoundly points out that in social change, the habits and experience of rural society may become obstacles. 10. "If we do not inquire into the relationship between behavior and purpose, and only follow the prescribed method, and have the belief that if we do not do so, there will be misfortune, then this set of behavior will become what we commonly call 'ritual'." - The author's interpretation of "ritual" is full of wisdom and insight, revealing the social psychology and behavioral logic behind it. 11. "Blood relationship is a stable force. In a stable society, geographical location is nothing more than a projection of blood relationship." - This sentence explains the relationship and role of blood relationship and geographical location in rural society from a unique perspective. 12. "Business develops outside of blood relationship." - This sentence concisely and profoundly points out the alienation of commercial activities from blood relationship in rural society. 13. "The separation of name and reality creates a gap between rural society and traditional society at this point." —— The author reveals the essential differences between rural society and traditional society in some aspects through the concept of "separation of name and reality". 14. "From desire to need is a very important milestone in social change." —— This sentence is full of creativity and wisdom, pointing out the key node of the transformation of individual needs in social change. 15. "In rural society, desire can be used as a guide for behavior after being cultivated by culture, and the result is in line with the conditions for survival." —— The author deeply analyzes the interaction between desire and culture in rural society and its impact on behavior. 16. "Social change often occurs when the old social structure cannot cope with the new environment." —— This sentence reveals the motivation and process of social change in concise language. 17. "In a changing society, habits are behavioral norms that are accepted without clear doubt." —— The author points out the dual role of habits in a changing society: both a stabilizing factor and an obstacle to change. 18. "Rule of law and rule of rites occur in two different social states." - This sentence deeply reveals the applicability and limitations of rule of law and rule of rites in different social states. 19. "The difference between rule of man and rule of law is not in the two words "man" and "law", but in the power used to maintain order." - The author explains the essential difference between rule of man and rule of law from a unique perspective, full of wisdom and insight. 20. "Rural society relies on experience. They don't have to plan, because over time, nature chooses a traditional life plan for them that they can rely on." - This sentence describes the empirical lifestyle and the power of time in rural society in beautiful language.


Author Introduction

Fei Xiaotong: A scholar who explores Chinese rural society Fei Xiaotong (November 2, 1910 - April 24, 2005) is a famous Chinese sociologist, anthropologist and ethnologist, known as the "Father of Chinese Sociology".< His book "Rural China" deeply explores the characteristics and changes of Chinese rural society and has a profound impact on the development of Chinese sociology.

1.< Personal basic information Fei Xiaotong was born in Wuxian County, Jiangsu Province (now Suzhou City).

His family has a deep cultural heritage.< Fei Xiaotong's father, Fairbank, is a famous educator who has had an important influence on his growth and academic interests.

2.< Education and professional background Fei Xiaotong studied at Tsinghua University, London School of Economics and Political Science, and University of Chicago in the United States, and studied under the famous sociologist Max Weber.

He has taught at Tsinghua University, University of London, University of Chicago and many other universities, and served as the director of the Institute of Sociology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.< 3.

Writing career Fei Xiaotong's writing career began in the 1930s.< His first book, "Jiangcun Economy" (1948), attracted widespread attention.

Since then, he has published a number of books, including Rural China (1949) and The Life of Chinese Peasants (1953), and conducted in-depth research on Chinese rural society.< 4.

Work style and theme Fei Xiaotong's works are known for their in-depth field investigations, rigorous academic attitudes and unique theoretical perspectives.< He focuses on the structure, function and changes of Chinese rural society, especially in terms of family, clan, and geography.

His research emphasizes the impact of Chinese traditional culture on rural society and the challenges faced by rural society in the process of modernization.< 5.

Personal life Fei Xiaotong's personal life is relatively low-key, and he devotes most of his energy to academic research and education.< He and his wife Chen Biru have two children together.

6.< Social influence Fei Xiaotong's academic achievements have been widely recognized at home and abroad.

His works have had a profound impact on the development of Chinese sociology and have provided a valuable perspective for the international academic community to understand Chinese rural society.< In addition, he has actively participated in social activities and contributed to promoting the progress and modernization of Chinese society.

7.< Citations and evaluations Fei Xiaotong's academic achievements have been highly praised by many authoritative media, experts and institutions.

The New York Times once described him as "the founder of Chinese sociology", while the magazine Social Sciences in China called him "the leading figure in Chinese sociology".< 8.

Latest News Although Fei Xiaotong passed away in 2005, his academic legacy continues to influence the development of Chinese sociology.< In recent years, research and commemorative activities on Fei Xiaotong have continued to increase, and his works have been continuously republished and translated to meet the needs of the academic community and the general readers.

In short, Fei Xiaotong is an outstanding Chinese sociologist, and his book Rural China provides us with a valuable perspective to understand China's rural society.< His academic achievements and contributions to society have made him an indispensable figure in the history of Chinese sociology.


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