2024 Vol.44

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From Medical Labels to “Disorder” Reality: The Clinical Ethnography of Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder LI Rongrong Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 1-31.   Abstract （634）   HTML （70）    PDF（pc） （3690KB）（681）       Knowledge map    Save Diagnosis and treatment are crucial steps in the process of medicalization, in which medical labels are enacted into disease realities. This article focuses on the clinical practice of pediatric psychiatrists， and seeks to advance our understanding of medicalization by providing a “thick description” of this practice. The article analyzes the clinical practice of doctors diagnosing children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder （ADHD） and prescribing medication. It also examines the different actions taken by parents in this process， such as cooperation， hesitation， or capitulation. The medical attributes of ADHA as a neurodevelopmental disorder is not only embedded in the interactive relationships and collaboration networks of medicine， education， and family， but also linked to the clinical practice of diagnosis and treatment. By focusing on clinical practice， the article brings the “human” and moral dimensions of medicalization to the forefront， and in so doing， presents a vivid account of how mental health categories are sometimes smoothly and sometimes haltingly incorporated into everyday life. Ultimately， the article argues that focusing on clinical practice can help us understand the mechanisms of medicalization at the micro level， and its ongoing and unfinished nature as a social process. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Domesticating Cleaning Technologies: User-Adaption Trials in the Model of Interessement GUO Yusong, HONG Wei Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 32-60.   Abstract （371）   HTML （31）    PDF（pc） （3161KB）（381）       Knowledge map    Save In conjunction with the ongoing rural clean heating renovation project in northern China， this study compares the home adoption of two technologies of air source heat pumps（ASHPs） and wall-mounted natural gas heaters（NGHs） in rural settings. Why hasn't the clean technology introduced into households in Li Village changed the traditional heating methods of most villagers to achieve the expected clean heating results？ This article finds that the lack of technological domestication process is the key to the inability of new technologies to be integrated into villagers' daily lives. The sudden intervention of clean technology is like an intrude of untamed animals. Users need to combine their living habits and household heating needs, and spontaneously complete multiple adaptive trails such as price measurement, adjustment, and transformation based on the flexibility of the technology. In this two-way interaction with clean technology， personalized usage patterns are formed to alleviate the tension between the technical design scripts and users' habits. With low flexibility， ASHPs have resulted in mismatches in terms of device performance， heating costs， and installation space， affecting the participation of villagers in the trials and ultimately limiting their usefulness as an auxiliary tool in addition to the traditional coal-stove heating system. NGHs with high technological flexibility not only provide villagers with powerful information about cost， kitchen renovation and more， but also the possibility to rewrite the original scripts， allowing villagers to take initiatives to produce knowledge and products that meet their daily needs， therefore completing the entire process of home adaptation of new technology. Only by giving space for negotiation between technologies and users can technology-driven social transformation projects better promote changes in people's lifestyles and sustainable green upgrades. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Pluralistic Society and Relationism Mind: Karl Mannheim’s Wissenssoziologie and Epistemology ZHANG Xueqia Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 61-90.   Abstract （627）   HTML （38）    PDF（pc） （3168KB）（439）       Knowledge map    Save Karl Mannheim's theory of the sociology of knowledge which claimed that knowledge is shaped by social positions made him one of the founding fathers of the branch, but his contribution was also criticized by American academia for relativism， and was therefore excluded from the mainstream of sociology. This paper presents an overview of the discussions and criticisms from the period， distinguishing between specific and general forms of relativism and their countervailing responses in Mannheim's theory. On the first level， specific relativism holds that since the sociology of knowledge believes that all human knowledge is affected by the social position of its creator， the scientific nature of this argument itself is also affected by the position of its proposer. In this regard， Mannheim's point of view is that the understanding of this influence will eventually lead to a higher level of liberation， so the criticism of special relativism does not constitute a substantial deconstruction of Mannheim's theory. On the second level， general relativism accuses Mannheim's theory of threatening the overall legitimacy of social scientific knowledge. Mannheim's response to this criticism is a new type of epistemology that abandons all forms of transcendental truth. By analyzing the German hermeneutics tradition， the impact of interpretivism， and the social dissolutions and people's self-consciousness in Weimar Germany that gave rise to the sociology of knowledge， this paper shows the affinity between the society's anomie status and the vigor of the sociology of knowledge. By comparing the classic sociology of knowledge and its American counterpart， this paper argues that the purpose of Mannheim's sociology of knowledge is to understand dissolution and self-consciousness at the societal level， rather than the production of middle-range causal explanations. Therefore， the insights of Mannheim's epistemology and his new concept of relationism are still of irreplaceable importance to understand today's ideological landscape. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Mathematical Function and Cultural Contract: Malinowski’s Science of Culture WANG Yanbin Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 91-125.   Abstract （437）   HTML （18）    PDF（pc） （3458KB）（329）       Knowledge map    Save Malinowski's participatory observation establishes the basic field method of modern anthropology. But his methodology is not an isolated investigative technique， but a systematic theory of Science of Culture rooted in the context of social theory. Malinowski's works are conscious dialogues with traditions such as social contract theory and the Durkheim school and reveal the resources he draws from the debate between individualism and collectivism. On the one hand， he is influenced by the Durkheim school， but he does not agree with its social substance theory and denies the existence of a collective consciousness beyond the individual. He advocates the functional theory of mathematical function based on Mach's empirical criticism. This theory opposes the metaphysical assumptions in classical anthropology as well as previous sociological theories， and advocates the universal correlation and interdependence of cultural elements. On this basis， Malinowski develops the social contract theory by using the “cultural contract” to construct the history of human beings from a “pre-cultural” state to a cultural state， and presents the layered construction process of cultural and social organizations based on individual needs. Thus， culture is revealed as an organic whole. On the other hand， he overcomes the tendency of contract theory to substantiate individuals and points out that in reality， there is no real “natural person”. Individuals are completely shaped by culture in functional relationships. Therefore， Malinowski emphasizes a mixture of individualism and collectivism， with society and individuals being closely and interdependently related to each other. The theory of cultural science forms the theoretical basis of Malinowski's field method and permeates his fieldwork， and also significantly influences the exploration of early Chinese sociology and anthropology. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Community Labels and Imperial Expansion: Social Categorization and Imperial Administration in Northwest Sichuan During the Mid-late Ming Period HU Xiaobai Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 126-148.   Abstract （315）   HTML （24）    PDF（pc） （10209KB）（345）       Knowledge map    Save The non-Han population in northwest Sichuan during the Ming dynasty relied on community labels as a means of differentiation. Examining the origin and connotation of these labels provides an important perspective for understanding the mid-to-late Ming frontier policies and social structure of peripheral regions. In the 15th century, binary communal labels such as “Big/Small Surname，” “Cattle/Goat Tail，” and “Buddhist/Daoist” were widespread， highlighting the tense community relations in local society. Due to its inclination of implementing indirect rule over borderland society， the Ming court did not interfere excessively in local affairs in northwest Sichuan. From the late 15th century to the early 16th century， the Ming court utilized the long-standing local concept of “black-white” labels for frontier governance and sought to reinterpret the cultural connotation of the labels from “kind/evil” to “loyal/disloyal to the Ming”. However， due to limited penetration of the state power at the time， the local and the state connotations of these labels were able to coexist for an extended period in the frontier regions. In the mid-to-late 16th century， the Ming court's borderland knowledge failed to accurately reflect the social reality. Nevertheless， through extensive military operations and subsequent infiltration of imperial power into northwest Sichuan non-Han communities， the Ming successfully reshaped power dynamics within the local society. Consequently， the meanings of “Fan and Qiang” underwent a transformation from quasi-ethnic labels to indicators of degree of assimilation towards the imperial Han. The formation and evolution of cultural connotations of northwest Sichuan community labels during the Ming dynasty can be attributed to an interface between two knowledge systems， highlighting a distinctive form of center-periphery interaction that centers around social categorization. Examining community labels in northwest Sichuan， this article argues， can deepen our understanding of power negotiations and identity politics within non-Han frontier societies during the Ming dynasty. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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What Makes a Family：Farmers’ Families That Live Separately but Keep Together HE Qifeng, ZHOU Xinyu Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 149-177.   Abstract （709）   HTML （72）    PDF（pc） （3200KB）（729）       Knowledge map    Save This article analyzes the phenomenon of “separated but keep together” in four rural families in Micun，Yunnan Province，in response to the question of “what makes a family”. It reflects on and expands the fixed division of family structure and boundaries at the experiential level. The study has found that the ever-changing family forms are just ways to adapt to social changes，which means the current family form is a “temporary solution”. Once a farmer's family encounters a major disruption，the sudden changes in the family's internal situation or external conditions force responsible family members to make compromises and breakthroughs in personal life and economic functions. The process of resolving conflicts manifests as the process of readjusting the relationship between individuals and families to achieve a new balance. Therefore，the survival and prosperity of the vertical axis structure of the family has always been the goal，constituting the most fundamental action logic of each family member. This is the force that unites peasant families. In the current urban-rural relationship，the scattered family structure is a result of farmers'necessity for livelihood. The dispersion of rural family forms does not necessarily mean the occurrence of individualized trends among rural residents. The core purpose of the family drives the dispersion of family forms，and the ethical responsibility transcends space and exerts a binding force on family members scattered in various places. Finally，this article links the actions of family members with the family structure，emphasizing the purpose and principles of action from the perspective of individual family members，while not denying the role of external factors such as economic status. The family structure does not constitute a constraint on the actions of family members，rather，it is the result of the decisions made by family members in accordance with behaviour ethics during the transition period. Economic factors are only a means of contributing to or making it more tortuous to this process. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Raising Hope：The Impact of Intergenerational Mobility on Fertility Desire in China CAI Weicheng, XIE Yu Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 178-212.   Abstract （918）   HTML （101）    PDF（pc） （3762KB）（992）       Knowledge map    Save Children play such a crucial role in Chinese families that their future socioeconomic prospects significantly influence parents' reproductive decision. Drawing on the data from the 2010-2018 Chinese General Social Survey （CGSS），this study investigates the impact of macro-level intergenerational mobility on fertility intentions. The findings reveal a positive association between relative mobility and desired family size. Mediation analysis highlights the importance of subjective attitudes，including expected social status，subjective well-being，and societal evaluations. Additionally，analyses along socio-economic gradients demonstrate a diminishing effect of relative mobility with increasing socio-economic status，though it remains non-negative among high socio-economic groups. Furthermore，there are gender differences，with a more pronounced pattern observed among men than women，particularly regarding the preference for male offspring. Finally，the method of instrumental variable mitigates attenuation biases from measurement errors. This study advances our understanding of macro-level determinants of fertility intentions and underscores the significance of mobility opportunities for fertility policy considerations. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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How Does Social Status of Family Influence the Mental Health Returns of Education：Resource Compensation or Enhancement? CHANG Qingsong, HU Jingliang, LIU Zixi Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 213-234.   Abstract （883）   HTML （92）    PDF（pc） （2007KB）（661）       Knowledge map    Save There are abundant studies on the relationship between family socioeconomic status， and individual mental health， yet few have explored the topic of whether the impact of education on mental health is heterogeneous among groups of different socio-economic origins. Resource Compensation Theory and Resource Enhancement Theory present a pair of competing hypotheses： when self-induced educational achievements and pre-existing family social status work together， there might be either compensatory effects or a tendency of mutual enhancement to affect mental health. To examine the applicability of these two theoretical hypotheses in China， this study utilizes the 2017 data of the Chinese General Social Survey（CGSS）， taking personal educational level as the core explanatory variable and the social status of family origin as the moderate variable. The study investigates whether the promoting effects of education on mental health vary across different family backgrounds and whether there are gender differences in the moderating effect of social status of family origin. The results of the study indicate that both the social status of family origin and the educational level play significant roles in improving mental health status. Moreover， there is a significant moderating effect of social status of family of origin on the relationship between education and mental health both in the overall population and gender-specific groups， which supports the Resource Compensation Theory. In other words， individuals from disadvantaged social status of family origin can obtain more mental health benefits from education compared to those from higher social strata. Furthermore， compared to males， females facing dual disadvantages obtain much higher mental health returns from educational achievements. This paper provides evidence-based implications for enhancing the mental health of females and individuals with disadvantaged family capital. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (1): 235-239.   Abstract （87）      PDF（pc） （403KB）（49）       Knowledge map    Save Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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General Social Emotions from the Perspective of National Governance ZHANG Yan, LI Hanlin Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 1-35.   Abstract （561）   HTML （95）    PDF（pc） （3096KB）（631）       Knowledge map    Save The paper explores general social emotions in society in terms of its concept and methodology，operationalization and influencing factors. Herein，general social emotions is regarded as a relatively consistent collective expression that is dispersed among different social groups and can easily resonate and be shared. It is relatively stable beliefs，spirits and values formed on the basis of social cognition，social identity and behavioral orientation. The structure of general social emotions is mainly composed of social cognition，identity and behavioural orientation and is operated through satisfaction，social trust and social confidence，while the function of general social emotions is mainly represented by social integration and structural maintenance. General social emotions is always embedded in social structure. The duality of structure is manifested in the fact that social behaviors guided by general social emotions not only maintain but also change structure. It has a restrictive effect on human behavior and also serves as premises and conditions of behavior. The paper also discusses the research methodology of general social emotions from three aspects of comparison，micro-meso-macro connections，and deduction from individuality to collectivity. The paper emphasises that by accurate grasps of general social emotions，national governance can avoid superficiality at the micro-level and gain true insights of people’s subjective feelings. At the macro level，it can closely link individuals，the state and society，and eventually integrate and embed itself in social structure. The process of governance is the construction，deconstruction and reconstruction of such general social emotions. The effort to understand our time and society through general social emotions and use it as a policy tool for national governance has important academic research and policy inspiration value. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Interactive Construction Between Overseas Views of China and Chinese Cultural Subjectivity Narration WU Huanyu, ZHU Jiangang Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 36-60.   Abstract （352）   HTML （14）    PDF（pc） （3029KB）（218）       Knowledge map    Save By analysing the legend of Dean Lung derived from the Dean Lung Lectureship in Sinology event, this paper finds that the important construction nodes of its historical narrative can be mostly placed in the intersection between the China Fever in the United States and the trend among Chinese intellectuals to construct their own cultural identity. A series of interactions reveal how the international order prior to the Opium War played a dual role in the modern era： for China, it became a central Chinese complex， symbolized by Confucian Civilization; for the West， it was transformed into positive Orientalism， symbolized by Confucian China. The dialogue between the two in the construction space of Dean Lung’s legend， with their different developmental forms， constitutes an interactive interpretation， which clearly represents the symbolic imagination of “What is China？” in the course of modern Sino-American communication. In this regard， the interpretations of Chinese civilization produced by intellectuals are also enveloped by the established historical structures of cross-cultural interactions. This reveals that the vertical introspection and horizontal communication of “cultural consciousness” are actually a dynamic system of continuous dialogue across time and space that complements and constructs each other. The selection of positive China symbols for expressions may generate goodwill and interest toward China from other cultures and even the international community but also， to some extent， narrows the space for people to imagine China and limits the possibilities of knowing the real China. Once aware of this， scholars will be better placed to understand and master the key to the cultural exchange. It will also help us to tell the story of China and the world with a broader mind and richer wisdom， and continuously deepen the theoretical thinking on the dialogue， mutual appreciation and integration among civilizations. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Discernible Break-off and Implicit Continuity：Modernization of Family Ethics from the Perspective of Intergenerational Co-Parenting in China JI Yingying, RUAN Wenya Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 61-97.   Abstract （644）   HTML （49）    PDF（pc） （4075KB）（734）       Knowledge map    Save This article examines the intergenerational co-parenting experiences of “rural second-generation” urban immigrant families，and the practical process of rebuilding family balance by the second generation in cohabitation and co-parenting setting during the urbanization of rural households. Under the intense pressure of modernization，the middle generation consciously wants to raise their children according to the concepts and skills of cultivating modern individuals，causing a significant break off from the ideas of grandparent generation. At the same time，with the practice of co-living and parenting sharing，the middle generation has implicitly continued traditional notions of parent-child unity(qinzi yiti) to balance family relationships. To various degrees a “cultural consciousness” may have occurred to recognize the dependence of modern childrearing practices on the support of traditional family unity. The intertwining of unity（yiti） and individuality（geti） shapes the emotional world of family members. When the middle generation develops a recognition of “unity” alongside individual reflection on individualism，the apparent differences between tradition and modernization can be bridged，and both individuality and unity can be genuinely implemented. When the middle generation exercises individual space within unity，obvious differences can be rationalized in family life. However，when the middle generation fails to coordinate properly，unity and individuality may fragment into two opposing forces that can tear apart the family. It is noteworthy that conflicts and deep divisions in rural families often happen between grandparents and mothers. This phenomenon may indicate that the intensive modernization and ideological conflicts have likely placed women at the precise intersection of social and familial tensions. The study not only highlights the profound and enduring support of traditional ethics in the Chinese modernization process but also underscores its potential for creative transformation in the present context. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Urbanization，Spatial Planning and Reproduction of Urban-Rural Relationship: A Case Study of a Suburban Village in China LU Bingzhe Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 98-124.   Abstract （489）   HTML （38）    PDF（pc） （3826KB）（1273）       Knowledge map    Save Spatial planning is not merely a technology-led scientific practice, but also a social undertaking. There have been two research approaches in social sciences that reveal the social dynamics of planning: one is to use the framework of interest politics to explore the inter-governmental negotiations in planning formulation； and the other is to examine the interplay between the state and society in planning based on the paradigm of contentious politics. Both explanations, focusing either on the intra-bureaucracy relationship or on the state-society relationship， have neglected the urban-rural dimension of planning， making it difficult to capture the unique social dynamics arising from planning practices in the context of rapid urbanization in contemporary China. This paper proposes an explanatory framework that emphasizes the embeddedness of planning in the urban-rural relationship structure shaped by urban transformation. Based on the case of a suburban village in eastern China， this study finds that whether in conservation or development planning， rural areas are in a dual hierarchical structure consisting of an administrative hierarchy between government levels and a territorial hierarchy between the urban and the rural. This unique urban-rural situation， combined with the overall comprehensiveness of planning itself， process practicality， and future-orientated characteristics of spatial planning itself， results in three social mechanisms of planning including the implicit infrastructuralization of rural spaces， the transcendence of planning power over land systems， and the asymmetric distribution of planning certainty. Consequently， villages under planning tend to employ opportunist adaptive strategies rather than engage in power negotiations or social actions. By outlining the urban-rural dynamics in Chinese spatial planning， this paper reveals the reciprocal reproduction of planning and the urban-rural structure in contemporary China， thereby explaining how spacial planning becomes part of the repertoire of Chinese state-led urbanization. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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“Peasants’ Subjectivity” in Circle Structure: A Case Study of “Beautiful Village Protection Project” XUE Wenjing, SONG Dandan Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 125-150.   Abstract （436）   HTML （31）    PDF（pc） （3095KB）（586）       Knowledge map    Save With various market and social forces participating in rural construction, “peasants’ subjectivity” in the interaction between peasants and external forces has become an increasingly prominent issue. This article discusses the connotation of “peasants’ subjectivity” through a case study of a planning and design company’s “Beautiful Village Protection Project ” in Fanglin Village， S Province， and analyzes the foundation of the “uneven” subjectivity among peasants in practice. Built upon existing research， this article examines “peasants’ subjectivity” at three levels: peasants’ willingness to participate， their ability to act in a coordinated manner， and their sense of responsibility in rural construction projects. Through the discussion of the case， this article proposes a concept of “peasants’ subjectivity” in the “circle structure” of village social relations. The “circle structure” is the basic perspective from which peasants understand the relationship between external projects and themselves. When the key figures in the project change， their willingness to participate and enthusiasm for action would also change. The “circle structure” is the infrastructure for peasants’ cooperation. When the core members of the circle fail to have outward visions and properly handle the interests of different groups， the closed nature of the circle itself would make it difficult for the organisation to act in coordination. Finally， the “circle structure” is also a source of motivation for people to regard common affairs as their own responsibility. Only through their ethical connections with specific people and driven by examples of good leaders can peasants be continuously inspired to dedicate themselves to work and share risks with others. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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From Primary Group to Democratic Ideal: Family and Country Feelings in Cooley’s Social Thoughts in the Progressive Era ZHENG Yan Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 151-182.   Abstract （353）   HTML （23）    PDF（pc） （3658KB）（494）       Knowledge map    Save As a representative figure of early American sociology in the Progressive Era, Charles Cooley’s marginal position in the history of contemporary sociology and his multiple representations in the study of the history of thought have constituted a strong tension. This paper attempts to use primary group and democratic ideal to connect a trilogy of Cooley’s works, namely his Human Nature and Social Order， Social Organization， and Social Process， to understand the unique American family and country feelings outlined in Cooley’s social thoughts. Cooley defined the problems encountered by the social transformation of the United States in the Progressive Era as moral degeneration and proposed that a great life oriented towards the modern world should be emerged from the primary group as a social ideal to help Americans overcome the crises. To this end， Cooley developed a theoretical thinking on the self-growth of modern individuals and their interaction with society from the perspective of social psychology. Cooley believed that the individual self was conceived in the original primal group， and through social psychological mechanisms of sympathy， imagination， and communication， it could grow in the cultural learning and group life of school education， further develop in the modern democratic society composed of public opinions， and sublimate into a mature patriotic spirit in the emergence of the international community， and finally reach a religious perfection towards the Great Life. Cooley’s mental schema was deeply rooted in the rich civic religious tradition of the United States. Cooley reconstructed this tradition through the analysis of sociological psychology， and laid the foundation for a new theory of human nature and social organization to consolidate and expand America’s democratic ideals. Paying attention to Cooley’s social thoughts in the Chinese context provides us with a comparative civilization perspective to carry on the sociological tradition of problem consciousness of the period of the Republic of China and reexamine the Chinese people’s feelings about family and country. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The Genealogy of Sacred Society: From Durkheim to Collège de Sociologie CAO Jinyu Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 183-212.   Abstract （516）   HTML （27）    PDF（pc） （3137KB）（426）       Knowledge map    Save In the 1930s， Bataille， Caillois and Leiris founded the “Collège de Sociologie” in Paris， dedicated to the study of all possible manifestations of social existence-especially the sacred forms， thus reviving the Durkheim school’s discussion of the sacred society. By examining the theoretical practice of the Collège de Sociologie， this paper attempts to establish a genealogy of the sacred society， and on this basis， to consider the following questions: How has the connotation of the sacred changed from Durkheim to the Collège de Sociologie? What social reality does this change respond to? What is the significance and value of sacredness in modern society? This paper points out that on the one hand， the Collège de Sociologie has inherited and advanced Durkheim’s thinking on the sacred society； on the other hand， in response to the social and political crises， it has restored the ambiguous attributes of the sacred in a more dynamic way， making the sacred intervene in the creation and maintenance of social order in a more radical form. Among them， Bataille changes the single assumption of the sacred by distinguishing between “left sacredness” and “right sacredness” while emphasizing the radicalism and transgression of “left sacredness”， thus surpassing Durkheim’s relatively conservative political position. In contrast， Caillois seeks a dynamic balance between respect and transgression， transforming Batailles’ Dionysian spirit into Luciferian revolutionary heroism in order to maintain the lasting dynamics of the power of the sacred. Leiris breaks through the framework of the sacred-profane dichotomy with the sacrality of everyday life. They all emphasize the process of the sacred shifting from homogeneous collectives to heterogeneous individuals， in which the self can break the alienated and oppressive social order with its own will and sovereignty， so as to achieve true freedom and commonality and revitalize the social body. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Extended Maternity Leave and Migrant Women’s Fertility-Unemployment Paradox: Based on China Migrants Dynamic Survey Data SHI Zhilei, WANG Zhang Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (2): 213-242.   Abstract （704）   HTML （72）    PDF（pc） （2869KB）（737）       Knowledge map    Save This study proposes a hypothesis of social differentiation effects of extended maternity leave to reinterpret the “fertility-unemployment paradox” caused by extended maternity leave among migrant women. In 2016, China introduced revisions of extended maternity leave to the provincial Population and Family Planning Regulations. This paper examines the aftereffect of the 2016 and 2018 CMDS data and tests the hypothesis empirically by using the propensity score matching and instrumental variable method. The study finds that extending maternity leave can effectively improve migrant women's willingness to have a second child, but at the same time it significantly increases the risk of unemployment for them. The probability of unemployment increases by 11.76% for every month of maternity leave extension. This conclusion remains valid after a series of robustness tests. In addition， there is a threshold value for the impact of extended maternity leave on the second child fertility intention. When the length of maternity leave exceeds 180 days， further extension can no longer increase migrant women’s desire to have a second child. Further examination finds that the “fertility-unemployment paradox” of maternity leave extension is only a symptom. The maternity leave extension policy with its original intention of supporting families and protecting women creates a social differentiation effect among migrant women， that is， the extension of maternity leave only increases the second child fertility intention of migrant women with high socioeconomic status in terms of education， income and formal employment， but it puts migrant women of low socioeconomic status such as rural migrant workers with low education in a much greater risk of unemployment. As a family policy intended to protect vulnerable groups， the maternity leave extension policy has instead created new inequalities in its implementation， causing more difficulties for migrant women of low socioeconomic status. This study not only contributes to the research on low fertility， but also provides theoretical reference for improving public policies and guiding the development of modern families. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A Study of Piecework Wage System of Food-Delivery Platforms under the Influence of Digital Taylorism LIANG Meng Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 1-26.   Abstract （852）   HTML （96）    PDF（pc） （2724KB）（862）       Knowledge map    Save This article argues that the pay system is the key to understanding the high-speed and risky runnings of Chinese food delivery-riders. The research on piece-rate wage system in industrial production shows that the remuneration system not only affects the behavior of workers from the economic perspective， but also plays an important role in shaping the transformation of workers from pure labor power consciousness to pure labor consciousness， and is an important foundation for the over-commodification of labor. This article summarizes the rules of dispatching， rewarding， and penalising in the piece-rate system of food delivery platforms， and proposes that the food delivery piece-rate system， although formally inheriting the simple cumulative logic of “more pay for more work” of the piece-rate system of industrial production， has essentially become an entrepreneurial game of high inputs， high returns， and high-risks， as well as an essentially accelerated logic of accumulation. Also by presenting the delivery-riders’ entrepreneurial consciousness shaped by the pay system of self-management， transition， freedom， and equality， the study further suggests that the change of the remuneration system of takeaway platforms implies that the digital Taylor system in the platform economy is not a natural continuation of the classical Taylor system of industrial labor， but rather possesses the unique characteristics of both subjective and objective aspects. In terms of objectivity， it is manifested in the transformation of management forms due to digital technologies， including the introduction of algorithms for work process planning， as well as standardized and quantitative measurement of subjective and objective labor outcomes. On the subjective side， this is reflected in the shift in the nature of management logic， whereby all risks in the production， transportation， and consumption processes are shared by the worker， and the level of remuneration is affected by the risks rather than the simply accumulation of labor results. The relationship between labor and pay is no longer a deterministic one based on the traditional principle of “more pay for more work”， but rather an outcome through both effort and risk， that is， more work does not necessarily lead to more pay. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Mutual Help，Organization and Recognition：Research on Multi-Dimensional Dynamic Mechanism of Volunteer Service in Labor Practice—A Case Study of Self-Employed Truck Drivers MA Dan Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 27-56.   Abstract （430）   HTML （42）    PDF（pc） （3038KB）（462）       Knowledge map    Save Taking the volunteer service practices of self-employed truck drivers in China as an example，this paper explores the multidimensional dynamic mechanism of volunteer service from the perspective of labor. It concludes that the dynamic mechanism of truck drivers’ volunteer service is a multidimensional framework driven by the micro labor system，the meso organizational process and the macro social status perception，showing a dynamic social process that extends from mutual assistance within the professional group to external social welfare. Among them，the “island effect” of atomized labor and mutual assistance are the objective basis of the mechanism，the organizational process and interaction within and outside the public welfare system provide institutional safeguards and cultural support，and the low status perception and the need for recognition constitute a continuous value drive. This paper argues that the expansion of the multidimensional dynamic mechanism framework based on labor practice shows the processual characteristics of the dynamic mechanism of volunteer service. For most of the volunteer services that last for many times，the dynamic mechanism not only exists before the volunteer activities，but is also reproduced continuously in the process of volunteer services，and accumulates in the results of volunteer services to become the driving force of the next volunteer activity. The transportation volunteer activities of truck drivers also challenge the definition of unpaid volunteer services，and shake the simplistic dualism of “labor” and “work”. More importantly，this paper introduces “recognition”，a core concept of modern social critical theory，into the empirical research of sociology，so that the theory of recognition gains the vitality from social reality. For truck driver volunteers，recognition not only becomes the driving force of their sustainability，but the contempt for not being recognized also promotes their determination to“do public service for recognition”，thus highlighting the social integration connotation of recognition. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Society as Condition：Hannah Arendt on Modernity and the Pariah SHEN Yao Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 57-94.   Abstract （433）   HTML （41）    PDF（pc） （3962KB）（486）       Knowledge map    Save The Jewish question holds an importance that transcends times. Anti-Semitism and the subsequent series of catastrophes as the emblematic events of the Western 20th century have been integrated into the scope of social theory， serving as a significant supplement to classical social theory. Marx， Durkheim, and Simmel each dealt with their “Jewish experience” in their own ways， presenting it as an objective issue in social theory. Amidst the comprehensive crisis of the 20th century in Western society， Arendt， building on the foundation of classic theorists’“Jewish propositions”， offered new perspectives and directions for the Jewish question. She discovered that Jews exist both “within society” and “outside society”. Here， “society” is not just a living environment or experience， but also a “condition”. The term “pariah” objectively describes the relationship between Jews and “society”. This paper first discusses the development of Western modern nation-states and the emancipation of Jews, then focuses on the situation and status of “wealthy Jews” and “Jewish intellectuals” in modern Western society. It demonstrates how the prominent social status of a small number of wealthy Jews in the rise of modern nation-states is linked to the tragic fate of all Jews， and how the tension between the Jewish intelligentsia and the European high society has given rise to a representative introspective spirituality. Finally, the paper attempts to discuss the Jewish question in social theory and position Arendt’s exploration of this issue within this theoretical context. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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From Melancholic Individual to Great Mind：A Study of William James’s Pragmatic View of Individual Religion XIAO Yonghong Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 95-119.   Abstract （438）   HTML （38）    PDF（pc） （2637KB）（447）       Knowledge map    Save At the end of the nineteenth century， the turn to personal religion initiated by William James profoundly influenced the reconstruction of the American civil religious tradition. This paper attempts to discuss James’s unique approach to the reconstruction of moral life in modern society and its complex relationship with the American civil religious tradition in the light of the controversial intellectual history. James’s study of personal religion begins with the dilemma of melancholic individuals， and by dissecting melancholy as an existential experience， he finds that behind the melancholic experience lies a concern for universal destiny and a quest to transcend the finiteness of the self， but this quest is unable to be transformed into active moral life because it rests in the negative view of the self and of the external world. In order to overcome this crisis of moral life， James establishes a connection between the spiritual problems of modern individual and the religious tradition of salvation， and then reinterprets the vital meanings and emotional power of the salvation experience to liberate the narrow personality in the light of faith’s guidance for life. James suggests that it is the individual embodiment of the universal destiny of humankind by the individual who has had the experience of redemption that provides the mechanism for activating the sacredness of modern democracy， and that redemption brings with it a sympathetic understanding of the situation of fellow human beings， endowing the individual with the patience and resilience to strive for higher moral ideals. Thus， the abstract value base of civic religious traditions is transformed into embodied practice in social democracy. Articulating this reinvented tradition of sacredness helps us not only to overcome melancholy in moral life， but also to present the new dynamics of the American social democratic tradition， which implicates a sympathetic view of fellow’s life significance. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The Legitimation of Institutionalized Elderly Care: A Family-Institution Cooperation ZHUO Weijia Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 120-146.   Abstract （477）   HTML （52）    PDF（pc） （2726KB）（602）       Knowledge map    Save Through field observations， parent-children paired-interviews and the text analyses of service contracts and management norms in three elderly care institutions， this study investigates how institutional elderly care as a new form of elderly support has been accepted in China. The study finds that it is the cooperation between families and institutions that has led to a change in perceptions of aged-care， and that the legitimation of institutional elderly care would be difficult to achieve through the efforts of only one of the two parties. This cooperation arises out of the strong sociocultural resistance that both sides have to face in the transition from family care to market-based institutional care. On the one hand， parents and their adult children continue their effort to justify their choice of institutional care， and are compelled to accept the new cognition of institutional care while actively responding to external stigma. In this process， parents and children follow different logics of action， with the former focusing more on self-persuasion while the latter on responding to external prejudices. On the other hand， care facilities subvert negative stereotypes through the pursuit of professionalism， institutional policy， and socio-cultural recognition. While emotional and functional exchanges between generations have been strengthened， institutional elderly care has gradually gained acceptance in China. By sorting out the behaviors of the families as individual actors and the institutions as organizational actors， as well as examining the relationship between the two， this study explains the mechanism of acceptance of the emerging institutional elderly care in China， where the traditional filial piety culture is deeply rooted. The study compensates for the existing literature’s long-standing neglect of the behaviors of institutions and redresses its over-emphasis on the tension between the family and the institution but not on the cooperation between the two， and elevates the discussion beyond care towards the cognitive realm. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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National Construction and Music Transformation: The Invention and Intrinsic Tension of the School Song CHEN Lang Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 147-172.   Abstract （395）   HTML （22）    PDF（pc） （3170KB）（170）       Knowledge map    Save The transformation of modern Chinese music began in the early 20th century. Its core manifestation was the absorption of Western music theories and forms， resulting in new music that differed from traditional Chinese music. This transformation originated from the practical need for national construction. This article discusses the complex connection between national construction and music transformation， focusing on the first kind of new music in modern China， the “School Song”. Liang Qichao envisioned a new kind of music that would foster the New People， possessing the two core features of “universalism” and “unity of poetry and music”. Since Liang’s understanding of music originated in the Confucian tradition of court music， the new music envisioned by Liang was in fact a new form of court music. Liang’s vision inspired the creation of the “School Song”， giving rise to the emergence of two distinct types--the universalist music represented by Shen Xingong and the poetic and musical songs represented by Li Shutong. Additionally， there were attempts to reconcile music theories， such as the music theory of Zeng Zhimin. Overall， the music of universalism prioritized simple forms of music composition such as simple scores and vernacular texts to make the songs as accessible as possible in order to promote the concept of the New People. The music of integrating poetry and music， on the other hand， called for the use of compositional forms such as pentameter and classical literary texts， emphasizing musicality and the cultural traditions embedded in classical poetry and literature. Different theoretical assumptions underlie different kinds of music. The tension between universalism and poetic-musical unity embodies the disagreement between the theory of the nation-state and the tradition of court music， and lays down the basic issue of the transformation of modern Chinese music， which has had a significant historical impact. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Generating Macro-Level Data Using Latent Variable Modeling and Dynamic Bayesian Methods ZHANG Gaoxiang, CHEN Zhe, CHEN Yunsong Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 173-219.   Abstract （403）   HTML （24）    PDF（pc） （25213KB）（207）       Knowledge map    Save In contemporary quantitative sociological research，the testing of causal mechanisms and macro theories has driven researchers’ need for high-quality time-series data at the district cluster level. However，sociological research suffers from significant shortcomings in accessing large-scale，long time-span tracking data compared to fields such as economics. While the aggregation of individual social survey data from multiple sources to generate panel data is an important way to improve data scarcity，it is also constrained by the limitations of the spatial and temporal distribution of social surveys and the variability across surveys. In this paper，we introduce a dynamic Bayesian latent variable modeling framework designed to facilitate the generation of complete panel data at the cluster level. The implementation of this framework is demonstrated through a practical example，and its efficacy is highlighted in comparison to several common missing data imputation techniques. The results show that the dynamic Bayesian latent variable model has noticeable advantages in terms of temporal-spatial imputation，multi-dimensional social index integration，and even the inclusion of parameter uncertainty. This method has potential in the estimating and imputing missing data for years and regions within surveys，yielding a clear picture of its future appliance in panel data generation and dimension integration for macro-level sociological research. However，the practical application of this approach still faces certain limitations，such as data availability，“synonym repetition”，and insufficient sensitivity to drastic changes. In view of this，this paper proposes corresponding optimization strategies to enhance the applicability and flexibility of this modeling framework，thereby expanding its application scope in the field of social sciences. The research in this paper provides valuable insights for practical application of the dynamic Bayesian latent variable modeling approach，offering inspiration for future related studies. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Institutional Change and Perceived Mobility of Urban and Rural Residents in China HUANG Chao Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (3): 220-241.   Abstract （545）   HTML （69）    PDF（pc） （2637KB）（770）       Knowledge map    Save Perceived social mobility is people’s subjective feelings about their own social mobility experience, which is an integral part of social mentality and an important perspective for understanding the Chinese mentality order. Unlike previous studies that reduce perceived mobility to individual psychology， this study delves into the world of meaning and explains the distributional characteristics and formation mechanisms of urban and rural residents’ perceived mobility against the background of changes in the urban-rural resource allocation system and the household registration system. Based on data from the 2010-2021 China General Social Survey（CGSS）， the study finds that：（1） The distribution of perceived mobility is shifted upward， with the majority of residents having positive mobility perceptions， which is related to the general increase in income and living standards brought about by sustained economic growth and upgrading of industrial and occupational structures. （2）There are significant differences in perceived mobility among the four groups： rural residents， floating population， “agricultural to non-agricultural” migrants and urban residents. Perceived mobility is most positive among rural residents， followed by floating population and “agricultural to non-agricultural” migrants， and most negative among urban residents. Perceived mobility is related to the tension between people’s subjective cognitive schemas about social status and mobility and their objective reality.（3）There is an intergenerational effect on the urban-rural difference in perceived mobility， with the urban-rural difference being more pronounced among older generations who have experienced the planned economy than among younger generations. To a certain extent， this generational difference also confirms the impact of institutional change on perceived mobility. This study analyzes urban and rural residents’perceived mobility from a holistic perspective， providing insights into the complex relationship between institutional change and social mentality. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The Marginal Man and the Migrant Ancestor: Chingchao Wu and Quentin Pan on Migration DU Yue Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 1-25.   Abstract （419）   HTML （43）    PDF（pc） （2499KB）（304）       Knowledge map    Save The paper presents two distinct theoretical imaginations of relationships between man and society from the perspective of space, rooted in the western and Chinese sociological thoughts. The connection between space and personality in Simmel’s writings constitutes one of the most important foundations in Western sociological thoughts. The concept of “marginal man”， crafted by Chicago School sociologists and built on Simmel’s theoretical insights， becomes the prototype of the modern personality in western context. Equally importantly， the “marginal man” also becomes the image of an ideal modern man projected by early Chinese sociologists trained and influenced by western sociological thoughts. One prominent sociologist in Republican period， Chingchao Wu understands migration in China as a journey of marginal man， and envisions a personality freed from rural village life and enriched by diversified cultures in urban society. Wu further prescribes nationalism as a cure to the inner turmoil of the marginal man caused by conflicts between cultures， a typical challenge in American urban life. The writings of another prominent sociologist， Quentin Pan， presents a different understanding of special relationship between man and society. He identifies the unit of migration as the “bloodline” instead of an individual. By migrating， “the migrant ancestor” avoids adverse selection caused by extreme familism and rigid class structure， consequently cultivates a wholesome bloodline， which produces descendants with a keen sense of empathy and social justice， as carriers of the Confucian ideal personality who changed the local mores for the better. The migrant ancestor’s withdrawal from society presents a striking contrast to the marginal man’s invasion into space. The paper concludes that “the migrant ancestor” constitutes another prototype of personality parallel to “the marginal man” in understanding social processes including but not limited to urbanization， and deeply rooted in Chinese sociological thoughts. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Examining the Meritocracy Trap in China：From “Upper-Lower Distinction” to “Ascribed-Desert” LIU Cheng, YU Xiulan, YUN Ruxian Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 26-56.   Abstract （1250）   HTML （106）    PDF（pc） （3728KB）（923）       Knowledge map    Save From Michael Young to Michael Sandel，the meritocratic trap has remained a significant public and academic issue that has sparked ongoing debates. Fundamentally，the meritocracy trap，with the potential to disrupt social harmony and shared prosperity，represents a form of individualistic attribution bias，which conceals one’s family background and luck behind the formula of“ability+effort=success”. Consequently，the meritocracy trap creates arrogance among the elites and resentment among the underclass in Western societies，and ultimately leads to social fragmentation. This study aims to reveal the different manifestations of the meritocracy trap in China by examining Chinese students’ attribution towards the country’s unique form of meritocracy—gaokao. With the help of a qualitative research design，we conducted a comparative analysis of the intuitive attribution schemas used by two groups：urban students from elite universities vs rural students from second-tier universities，in attributing their own and each other’s success or failure. The study identifies a phenomenon called “upper-lower distinction”（上下有别），indicating that the structural degree of individual attribution depends on the relative social positions between the self and the attribution target. This partially supports the theoretical hypothesis of the meritocracy trap，but the unique Chinese culture of modesty somewhat mitigates the arrogance of the elites. More crucially，the study reveals a concept，termed “ascribed-desert”（先赋应得），is shared by both groups. It consists of a few Chinese cultural notions，including the Taoist concept of “naturalness”，consequentialism，and “ethical standard”. The idea holds that talent and pedigree，viewed as uncontrollable elements，should be considered as neutral or even legitimate. The notion of “ascribed-desert”，unlike the desert-less principle in John Rawls’s theory of justice，is the conceptual basis upon which the Chinese meritocracy trap rests. It forms a strong functional relationship with the Chinese meritocracy trap，buffering it from possible social consequences similar to those in the West. However，it also conceals deeper cultural pitfalls. The main contribution of this study is to advance the theoretical discussion related to the meritocracy trap with Chinese particularity. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Technology Disembedding in the Process of Agricultural Transformation： A Study on Extension and Application of Plant Protection Technology in Ji County MEI Jingzhe, DAI Yousheng Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 57-86.   Abstract （423）   HTML （20）    PDF（pc） （3077KB）（206）       Knowledge map    Save This paper attempts to explore the shifting relationship between farmers and agricultural technology in the process of agricultural transformation， taking into account the technological application difficulties faced by farmers in agricultural production. Based on the case study of Ji County in Hebei Province， this paper suggests that agricultural technology promotion has gone through three stages：namely， the state led stage during the collectivization period， the grassroots agricultural market-driven stage during the reform period， and the new agricultural management entities during the agricultural transformation period. Respectively， agricultural technology has been linked to the rural society and applied to agricultural production through three forms of organization-embedded， market-embedded， and capital embedded. However， the embedded relationship between agricultural technology and rural society is not necessarily realized through farmers’mastery and application of agricultural technology. When the promotion of plant protection technology is implemented through new agricultural management entities in the form of projects， agricultural technology has realised its transfer and redistribution from farmers to new management entities， and farmers have become increasingly disconnected from agricultural technology. On the one hand， by reconstructing farmers’ practical technology and raising the threshold of acquiring modern agricultural technology， the substitution of professional knowledge for practical knowledge has been accomplished. On the other hand， by increasing support for machinery purchase and project operation for new farm management entities， traditional services centred on mutual assistance and reciprocity among friends and acquaintance have been continuously squeezed out， reducing technical services to purely economic behaviors and substituting social relations with economic relations. The social and knowledge disembedding of agricultural technology has led to a disconnection of both technology and technology services from farmers. The agricultural technology modernization can not be separated from the agricultural modernization of farmers. Attention should be paid to the technological needs of small farmers， and the reconstruction of a socialised system of agricultural services with farmers as its core， and ultimately the modernization of agriculture and rural China with peasants as the subject. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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From Farm Dormitory to Village Community：A Case Study of Labor Management in a Chinese-Owned Rubber Farm in Laos HE Haishi, HAN Jiami Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 87-116.   Abstract （321）   HTML （40）    PDF（pc） （3331KB）（202）       Knowledge map    Save This study focuses on the local labor management practice and its underlying behavioral logic of a Chinese-owned rubber farm in Laos. The rubber farm’s recruitment process encountered many challenges when both the first round of recruitment in the surrounding villages and the second cross-provincial recruitment had ended in failure. It was not until the third cross-provincial recruitment that the farm was able to secure a stable labor force. The paper examines the management practice of the third group of workers. The results indicate that the unique orientation of the rubber workers towards the dormitory became the key to labor stability. Through the interaction between the rubber workers and the farm， the farm dormitory was endowed with traditional Lao socio-cultural meanings and transformed into a village community. As a result， the village community and the farm are merged and inter-constructed. The superposition of the two has contributed to the “transfer” of the rubber workers emotional commitment from the village to the employer， thus ensuring a stable and reliable labor force for the farm. At the same time， the farm has also taken advantage of the farm’s village community attributes to innovatively establish a set of effective and flexible labor supervision and management mechanisms to further solidify labor-management relations. In addition， the farm continuously expands its labor force by leveraging the “substitute rubber worker” policy and actively recruiting the second generation of rubber workers， turning the village into a “reservoir” of farm labor. The transformation of farm dormitory into a village community fully demonstrates the strong resilience of traditional family-village social integration among Lao workers. In this case， the rubber workers embedded this traditional social bonding into modern labor-capital relations， leading to a structural adjustment of labor-management on the farm. An in-depth exploration of the social integration mechanism of local labor force can help promote a more positive and stable presence of Chinese enterprises overseas. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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“Unnatural and Retrograde Order”: Adam Smith on the Institutional Foundation of Modern Economic Transformation ZHU Huahui Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 117-146.   Abstract （305）   HTML （12）    PDF（pc） （3090KB）（241）       Knowledge map    Save Adam Smith’s theory of “unnatural and retrograde order” is often viewed as an important paradigm for explaining the birth of modern capitalism. It is generally believed that central to this theory is the notion that distant trade and commercialization acted as the “invisible hand” that guided the European economy spontaneously towards modernity. However， in Smith’s historiography， distant trade did not always lead to economic modernization， and many non-Western European regions that were also involved in foreign trade did not develop a self-reinforcing positive cycle of economic development. In fact， Smith clearly distinguished between economic forms that develop naturally in accordance with the “four-stages” progress and modern European societies that develop on the basis of an “unnatural and retrograde order”. To better understand the nature and history of modern European economic development in Smith’s theory， this article suggests that the role of foreign trade in promoting the modern economy needs to be understood within specific socio-political relations. For Smith， capital had to be anchored in the land in order to break through economic stagnation， and a stable and balanced modern economy required continuous agricultural investment. Therefore， the collapse of feudal land relations induced by the rise of trade economy and political struggles becomes the key institutional prerequisite for achieving rapid economic development in Western Europe. It is in this sense that modern European economic development manifests itself as “unnatural and retrograde”， that is， the early development of distant trade led to the disintegration of feudalism in some areas， which in turn led to the formation of a resilient agrarian economy and increasingly vibrant commerce and manufacturing industries. Based on this historical lesson， Smith supported the implementation of strong reforms of feudalism in Scotland within the framework of the British Imperial Union in order to achieve the transformation of Scottish Highland economy. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The Modern Moral Order and Its Basis of Human Nature：Significance of Shaftesbury’s Moral Philosophy for Social Theory XIANG Wei Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 147-178.   Abstract （256）   HTML （10）    PDF（pc） （3490KB）（147）       Knowledge map    Save At the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century，Shaftesbury was confronted with not only the growing moral crisis of the commercial society and the need for a humanistic foundation for a liberal republican government program，but also the question of how to define the modern man with his expanding individuality，to bridge the gap between the individual and the society，and to reconstruct a free and virtuous general order. This required him to develop，after Hobbes，a competing theory of human nature，and thereby to construct a new moral philosophy. For this purpose，Shaftesbury drew on natural theology and Stoicism to articulate a conception of divine order that opened up the possibility of a free and virtuous civil society. Subsequently，Shaftesbury put forward a view of human nature with natural affection as the first principle，and then empirically clarified the “sociability not for self-love” that was naturally inherent in human nature，providing a powerful defense of the self-sufficiency of society itself. Finally，through the socio-psychological mechanisms of “common sense”and “moral sense”，the possibility of a moral order was illustrated on the basis of universal human nature. In addition to this body of theoretical work，Shaftesbury explicitly argued that a sufficiently free and tolerant public sphere was essential to the true realization of a good moral order. Shaftesbury’s moral philosophy set a theoretical tone for the later Scottish Enlightenment and for the Anglo-American social theory that treated the “social”logic as a means of settling individuals and constructing order. His ideas are still of value to us today in many ways. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Social Cohesion and Its Evolution：The Historical Sociology of Marcel Granet ZHANG Yuxin Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 179-207.   Abstract （302）   HTML （7）    PDF（pc） （3008KB）（210）       Knowledge map    Save This paper endeavors to elucidate a central theme in Marcel Granet’s oeuvres：the issue of social cohesion and its evolution. This inquiry should be situated firstly within the academic context of the methodological debate between sociology and history in France at the beginning of the twentieth century. As a disciple of L’Année sociologique，Granet aimed to reconstruct ancient Chinese history through a sociological lens，thereby pioneering a historiographical paradigm that was non-individualistic，indifferent to chronology，and dedicated to uncovering objective laws. Granet observes a shift from the principle of reciprocity within marriage groups in the peasant era to the principle of political prestige in the mythological era，culminating in the overlapping of multiple forms and principles of social cohesion during the feudal order. During this period，the principle of prestige was supplanted and balanced by the principle of honor. At this time，the political group and the kinship group were also completely indistinguishable from each other. Through his analysis of Chinese history，Granet employed sociological theories to interpret historical materials，thereby challenging the epistemological and political foundations of traditional historiography. His study of feudalism，in particular，reflects his response to contemporary political concerns. It is crucial to recognize that Granet’s interpretation of ancient China stands in stark contrast to the traditions established by the Chinese historiographical revolution of the 20th century. This divergence not only explains why Granet’s work has been misinterpreted and neglected but also underscores the necessity of reassessing his academic contributions. Granet’s innovative use of Chinese texts to deduce various forms of social cohesion offers a viable methodology for applying modern social sciences to the study of classical Chinese texts. Furthermore，his work provides profound theoretical insights that are instrumental in reinterpreting the history of ancient China. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Characteristics and Formation Mechanisms of Government Care Responsibility Perception among Rural-to-Urban Migrants ZANG Leizhen, XU Rong Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (4): 208-239.   Abstract （319）   HTML （62）    PDF（pc） （3234KB）（287）       Knowledge map    Save The hukou division between urban and rural areas leads to objective disparities in the government welfare provision across different regions，resulting in the differentiation of residents’ subjective attitudes towards welfare. With the deepening of household registration reforms，hundreds of millions of people in China have gone through the process of “rural-to-urba” residential migration. An in-depth discussion on their welfare attitudes would not only help to fill the gap in research on the subjective characteristics of this group but also broaden the discussion on the relationship between welfare attitudes，the welfare system，and population migration. An empirical analysis on CGSS data reveals that significant and consistent differences exist between rural-to-urban migrants and local residents on the perceptions of government welfare responsibilities. The previous rural life experience has shaped the welfare ethic of rural-to-urban migrants that tends to assume more responsibility for their own well-being. The “life event” of cross-system migration leads to more positive outlooks of social and personal development，inhibiting their expectation for the government to take care of them. Among migrants，cognitive difference exists between those who made rural to urban conversion under “policy programs”and those by their own choice and action. The study brings the following insights：The gradual improvement of China’s welfare system，as well as the fact that cross-system migration increases the variability of welfare attitudes and the complexity of formation mechanisms，have made it questionable of the theoretical value of researches that attempt to determine the boundaries of the government’s responsibility for welfare with the help of foreign viewpoints on welfare. Policymakers need to take into account the objective level of welfare provisionand continue to improve public wellbeing. At the same time，the research of welfare attitudes needs to go further from tracking explicit preferences to interpreting their ethical core，so as to provide intellectual support for the profound connection between welfare system design and welfare ethics，and to promote the development of welfare policies with Chinese characteristics. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Hierarchical Network Governance：A Type of Alliance Mechanism for Social Organizations YE Shihua, ZHU Jiangang Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (5): 1-29.   Abstract （667）   HTML （68）    PDF（pc） （2951KB）（411）       Knowledge map    Save This study is a case study that examines a nationwide and decade-long network of joint social organizations of disaster relief，focusing on the specific operational mechanisms of collaboration among heterogeneous social entities within society. The approach differs from the perspective of “understanding society in the light of the state”，as well as organizational cooperation studies under the general theory of organization. The study identifies three major players in the network： philanthropic foundations，provincial coordinating bodies acting as intermediaries， and grassroots volunteer organizations. These three components form a hierarchical network governance structure that effectively facilitates organizational collaboration. The characteristics of this hierarchical network governance mechanism lie in the following：the first-tier network unite the foundations and provincial coordinating bodies through a consensus on modern philanthropy；the second-tier network relies on the coordinating role of provincial bodies，which take on more responsibilities as agents，simplifying the requirements of modern philanthropic practices，easing the tension between modern philanthropic concepts and local volunteer culture，and thereby realizing the compatibility of the two and fostering the transformation of grassroots volunteer forces into modern philanthropic entities. Provincial coordinating bodies play a crucial role in sustaining the vitality of local networks by actively expanding resources and responding to the resource needs of grassroots organizations at the county level，which in turn enhance the functionality and efficiency of the overall network. The study concludes that the hierarchical network governance represents a unique form of horizontal connection among social organizations within the Chinese context，which can effectively unite diverse social forces，achieve social integration and is of great practical significance for social organisations to participate in governance. The finding challenges the assumption that social horizontal connections produce relatively independent society. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Project System Transformation in the Context of County-Level Integration of Agricultural Fundings：The Case of County A in Southwest China ZHANG Qichen, LUO Xiaochen Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (5): 30-60.   Abstract （475）   HTML （29）    PDF（pc） （3637KB）（327）       Knowledge map    Save Taking County A in Southwest China as an example，this study discusses the transformation of the project system and its impacts in the context of the county- level consolidation of agriculture-related funds. The study reveals that，as the central government delegates fund management and project approval to county-level governments，the project system has transitioned from a primarily“departmental operation” to a “county-level operation” model，and has shown a heightened capacity for project mobilization and social integration. On the one hand，the county-level operation model has fostered broader intra-governmental cooperation. To meet higher-level government assessments for project fund management，operational departments（tiao） actively engage in coordination and leverage each other’s funds to fulfil their supporting roles. Local township governments（kuai） also employ various informal competitive strategies in project relations，partnering with higher level operational departments（tiao） to bid on projects. On the other hand， the county-level operation model mitigates conflicts stemming from project-related competition，and thereby promotes social cohesion. In the case of County A，project selection took into full consideration the collective developmental aspirations of the local community and the interests of various project bidders，thus achieved an effective balance between operational efficiency and utility. In conclusion，under the county-level operation model，the logic of project management has shifted from a focus on comprehensive control over grassroots society to an emphasis on the use of projects to mobilise local communities on a broad scale. Consequently，local society has been continuously restructured through government projects，and meanwhile the degree of social solidarity has also been increased as a result. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Chinese Education Return from 2003 to 2021：Stratification,Trend,and Social Structural Change JU Guodong, CHEN Yunsong Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (5): 61-95.   Abstract （858）   HTML （68）    PDF（pc） （5932KB）（457）       Knowledge map    Save Although education return has always been a hot topic in Chinese sociology， most of the existing studies focus on exploring causal relationships and heterogeneous effects in individual life courses， and efforts to track the long-term trend at the macro-level remain scarce. Using pooled samples comprising 12 waves of data from the CGSS surveys between 2003 and 2021， we analyse the trends in earnings at different education levels in China over the last two decades and examine whether the economic returns to higher education have experienced a significant decline. Using high school graduates as the reference group， the study first measures the differences in economic returns of different education levels relative to the high school-educated population and presents the trend of change over the last two decades. Next， we employ the factor decomposition framework to assess the impact of long-term changes in five dimensions of social structural factors， such as market environment on the economic returns of different education levels. The results show that， with the exception of the postgraduate group， the overall economic returns for all education levels have remained in a relatively stable range over the last two decades. By controlling for social structural factors at the 2021 level for each wave， we find that long-term changes in social structure have increased the income advantage of the higher educated people relative to high-school population on the one hand， but have narrowed the income gap between groups in other educational levels on the other hand. By analysing the birth cohorts of the samples， we also find that the economic returns to higher education are significantly higher for the 1950s and 1960s birth cohorts than for those born after 1970， but the economic returns to higher education remain relatively stable between the 1970s and 1990s birth cohorts. With the expansion of higher education， changes in structural factors such as the increase of high-level jobs have contributed to the relative stability or slight increase of economic returns to higher education in China. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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From Xiushen to Gongmin: The Transformation of Moral Education in Elementary School in the Late Qing Dynasty and Early Republic of China JIANG Han Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (5): 96-124.   Abstract （487）   HTML （9）    PDF（pc） （3446KB）（231）       Knowledge map    Save The reformation of moral education curriculum reflects the cultural shifts in modern China. Focusing on the curriculum reforms of the early 1920s， this article examines the evolution of moral ideals in the light of the changes in the social situation of the Chinese intelligentsia. With the establishment of the modern school system， moral education was institutionalized in the form of self-cultivation （Xiushen） curriculum. Educators denounced traditional moral education centered on Confucius classics and hoped to apply Western pedagogical theories to the teaching of Xiushen. They advocated the replacement of abstruse classics with easy-to-understand textbooks as well as the adoption of pedagogical methods aligned with children’s psychological development. In the early 1920s， however， under the influence of the New Culture Movement， educators began to question the moral authority of teachers， and thus the rationality of the Xiushen curriculum. Drawing on the prevailing Deweyism at the time， educators argued that moral education should be grounded in the study of and active participation in “society”. This realization led to the abolishment of Xiushen and the establishment of Civics （Gongmin） training curriculum. Furthermore， the reformation of moral education curriculum was also linked to the transformation of the intelligentsia. In traditional China， the moral principles in the Confucian classics not only served as moral norms but also the basis of legitimacy of social domination. Literati who mastered Confucian discourses could move upwards to be ruling officials through the imperial examination system， and whereby enjoy political and economic privileges. Thus， the critique of classical education marked the intellectual class’ departure from its traditional social identity as scholar-officials， and the discussion around“society” represented an attempt to interpret moral education based on their new social situation. No longer dependent on imperial power， the intelligentsia began to value the political potential of the common people. Analyzing the transformation of moral education curriculum helps to further understand the sociological implications of the moral revolution during the late Qing and early Republican periods. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Induction, Immersion, and the Life-cycle of Corruption: How Social Interactions Affect Temporal Factors in Corruption Behavior LI Hui, TU Wenyan Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (5): 125-159.   Abstract （559）   HTML （22）    PDF（pc） （3389KB）（232）       Knowledge map    Save This study seeks to examine how social interactions influence temporal factors in the lifecycle of corruption. Based on the temporal perspective， this study decomposes the life cycle of corruption cases into three stages：formation， persistence and reproduction. It proposes three corresponding temporal concepts of corruption: the speed of descent into corruption by power holders， the latent period of corruption， and the frequency of corrupt behaviors. Three major findings were yielded from the statistical analysis of the dataset of around 24000 corruption indictments. First， continuous social interactions around public power produce a two-way inducement effect between bribe-takers and bribe-givers， which significantly shortens the time interval between a corrupt official's tenure of office and the first offence committed. Second， by blending corrupt transactions in normal social exchanges， social interactions significantly prolong the latent period of corruption， that is， the time interval between the first crime and indictment. Third， social interactions can lead to the routinization of bribery transactions based on functional autonomy， and therefore accelerate the frequency of corruption， that is， the time intervals between recurring offences. This study argues that the major difference between bribery and embezzlement lies in whether there is a complex social interaction revolving around public power. Therefore， compared to embezzlement， bribery mingled in social interactions exhibits a much quicker path to crime， a longer latent period， and a higher frequency. This paper proposes three variables for measuring the life cycle of corruption from a temporal perspective， with a view to providing new perspectives on corruption measurement. It brings about an important shift in the understanding of corruption from an individual event to a process analysis， and deepens the understanding of the formation mechanisms of corrupt behavior and its governance. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Modern Transformation of a Traditional Civilization: Maine on Law and Society in India LI Hongji Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (5): 160-183.   Abstract （413）   HTML （9）    PDF（pc） （2453KB）（137）       Knowledge map    Save India is the focal point of Maine’s theory of social evolution and also the Eastern civilization on which classical Western social thinkers focused their attention. This paper attempts to present the three stages of Maine’s understanding of India in order to answer the question of how his theory of social evolution responds to the questions of civilizational differentiation and transformational adaptation. In his early studies, Maine noted that traditional civilizations were transforming “from status to contract，” and that stagnant India， constrained by religion， failed to achieve this transformation. During his tenure in India， Maine observed that the policy of transplanting English law had led to the rapid disintegration of Indian customary law， and he proposed a codification strategy that emphasized the compilation of traditional Indian law as a means of mitigating the bitter conflict between English and Indian law. Meanwhile， Maine pointed out the significance of Indian village communities for the nineteenth-century Indian social order. Upon his return to England， Maine came to a conclusion that the nineteenth century India was still under religious influence and could hardly nurture the seeds of modern transformation. However， British-Indian rule had a dual impact on India， both contributing to its modern transformation and seriously disrupting the order of traditional Indian society. He further recognized the differences between the civilizational traditions of the East and the West， while the British colonialists had ignored these complexities. At the same time， he used the“metaphor of conflicting clocks” to reveal the adaptive problem of the modern transformation. Maine placed Indians’ adaptation to reform at the center of social progress and legal change. In addition， he expected to educate Indians to embrace reforms and thus achieve civilizational development in India. Maine’s observation of India has enriched his evolutionary thought of “from status to contract” and has provided a unique perspective on the evolution and transformation of civilizations in the East and the West. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The Paradox of Participatory Technical Practice：A Sociological Analysis of Technology Based on Rural Light-Steel Housing Construction Projects LI Geng Chinese Journal of Sociology    2024, 44 (5): 184-207.   Abstract （436）   HTML （18）    PDF（pc） （2690KB）（272）       Knowledge map    Save Previous research，when explaining the reasons for the failure of participatory projects or the introduction of technology to rural areas， often approached the issue from the perspective of power relations or cultural paradigms， with less attention paid to the common project carrier： technology. Using a participatory construction project of light-steel rural housing as an example， this paper points out that the materiality of light-steel construction technology and its social construction process have constrained the social effects of technology promotion and villager participation. The research finds that，on the one hand，light- steel technology provides the possibility for ordinary villagers to participate in construction by simplifying operations and lowering thresholds； on the other hand， its inherent logic of industrialization，specialization， and standardization weakens the flexibility of the technology，making it difficult to align with the locality and flexibility of vernacular construction，and instead exacerbating villagers’ dependence on technology providers. Furthermore，issues such as the technological system embedded in social power relations，the tension between the material characteristics of technology and local cultural identity，and the conflict between technological rationality and vernacular construction rationality have all undermined villagers’ sense of achievement and identification with participatory construction. The rationality logic of technology makes it difficult for open technological solutions that embody social ideals to take root，thus shaping the following paradox：on the surface，villagers have acquired new skills through deep participation，but it is difficult to achieve the project’s expected goals in terms of collective consciousness and community empowerment， resulting in a situation of “one-dimensional participation”. The technology-centered perspective helps us reflect on the imagination and reality of the technological path advocating “empowerment” and “participation”，re-examine the connotation and conditions of“participatory”，and more comprehensively consider the complex role of technology in social projects. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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