ABSTRACT

Chinese society has seen phenomenal change in the last 30 years. Two of the most profound changes have been the rise of the individual in both public and private spheres and the consequent individualization of Chinese society itself. Yet, despite China's recent dramatic entrance into global politics and economics, neither of these significant shifts has been fully analysed. China may indeed present an alternative model of social transformation in the age of globalisation - so its path to development may have particular implications for the developing world.The Individualization of Chinese Society reveals how individual agency has been on the rise since the 1970s and how this has impacted on everyday life and Chinese society more broadly. The book presents a wide range of detailed case studies - on the impact of economic policy, patterns of kinship, changes in marriage relations and the socio-economic position of women, the development of youth culture, the politics of consumerism, and shifting power relations in everyday life.

chapter Chapter 2|31 pages

Changes in Everyday Power Relations

chapter Chapter 4|23 pages

Practicing Kinship, Remaking the Individual

chapter Chapter 5|24 pages

Rural Youth and Youth Culture

chapter Chapter 6|22 pages

Girl Power: Young Women and The Waning of Patriarchy

chapter Chapter 7|28 pages

The Individual and Transformation of Bridewealth

chapter Chapter 8|24 pages

How to be a Calculating Yet Nice Person?

chapter Chapter 9|35 pages

The Politics of Consumerism