Two-Dimensional People: Lives, Desires, and Social Attitudes in a Changing Chinese Village

This book analyzes contradictions among various dimensions of the peasant economy, social relationships, popular religion, and local politics in rural China, showing that people are two-dimensional, trying to combine self-interest with affective networks of reciprocity. It will be of interest to scholars and students of Sociology, Anthropology, and East Asian Studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Based on nearly eight years of fieldwork in a town and a village in South China, this book delves into the intricate contradictions that permeate various aspects of rural Chinese society, including the peasant economy, social relationships, popular religion, and local politics. In contrast to many anthropological, sociological, and political studies that perceive Chinese peasants as one-dimensional, materialistic, politically conservative, self-centered, and lacking public-mindedness, as exemplified by the notion of the "uncivil individual" proposed by anthropologist Yan Yunxiang, this book presents a more nuanced and complex understanding of rural Chinese people. It reveals that they are, in fact, two-dimensional individuals who strive to navigate a delicate balance between calculating self-interest and forming affective networks of reciprocity. However, this pursuit often leads to awkwardness or cynicism, creating a paradoxical symbiosis between nihilism and transcendence.

While Marcuse employed Benjamin's words to analyze the one-dimensional man, emphasizing the hopelessness inherent in human existence, this book takes a different approach. It writes about two-dimensional people, emphasizing the importance of finding hope in everyday life for the vast majority of ordinary individuals. Only when the majority of people can experience a sense of hope and fulfillment in their daily lives can we truly hope for a better future.

This book will appeal to scholars and students of Sociology, Anthropology, and East Asian Studies, as well as anyone with an interest in contemporary China in general. It offers a rich and insightful perspective on the complex dynamics and challenges faced by rural communities in modern China, shedding light on the intricate interplay between economic, social, and cultural factors that shape their lives. Through its detailed analysis and compelling storytelling, this book provides valuable insights into the complexities of rural China and its role in shaping the country's future.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032403540