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The analysis of Chinese rural society: Fei Xiaotong revisited
Barbalet, Jack
Barbalet, Jack
Author
Abstract
China’s best-known sociologist, Fei Xiaotong, is widely credited with providing a general statement of guanxi relations underlying Chinese society. Examination of Fei’s celebrated From the Soil and associated publications, as well as the work of contemporary researchers, reveals Fei’s neglected Confucianism and the derivative nature of his conceptualization of “the differential mode of association.” Additionally, limitations of village-centric perspectives and the importance of nonkin relations in rural society are identified and erstwhile neglected aspects of guanxi highlighted. The article contributes to the study of guanxi and Chinese society in general by developing a sociological account of the variety and nature of social connections.
Keywords
Fei Xiaotong, guanxi, lineage, nonkin relations, rural society
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Modern China: an international quarterly of history and social science
Book
Volume
47
Issue
4
Page Range
355-382
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
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Open Access Status
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Controlled