Institutionalized Individualism in Post-collectivist China

Abstract

AbstractThis second chapter explores the dynamics of individualization in China across time to unravel the complexities of the individualization process in a rapidly transforming society.The pre-Maoist period, often mischaracterized as solely group-oriented, is reevaluated through the lens of Chinese sociologist Fei Xiaotong. It not only reveals a society rooted in individual autonomy within a network of personal relationships, but it also sheds light on how the transformative intellectual movements of the early twentieth century sought to redefine the “Chinese national character” to modernize the country, challenging traditional family structures and promoting individual autonomy. The May 4th movement marked a peak in this reformist wave, introducing elements of individualism that clashed with Confucian morals.Furthermore, the chapter reveals that during the Maoist period, despite a shift towards collectivism, Maoist policies contributed to a partial disembedding of individuals from traditional solidarities, particularly for women.In a last movement, the chapter shed light on the subsequent economic reforms from the late 1970s and how it marked a new phase. While the Party-State maintains strong political and economic control, it enjoins individuals to take responsibility for their life-course. It supports individualization in the labor market while rejuvenating family obligations and solidarities.