Contemporary China in a Wester
Contemporary China in a Westerner's EyesContemporary China has undergone many dramatic changes within a relatively short period of time. After centuries operating in the relative stability of Confucian ideals and tradition, Chinese society has been bombarded by the inflow of western ideals and commercialism. In his book Streetlife China, Michael Dutton makes observations concerning contemporary Chinese society and discusses the problems and advantages rapid economic development has brought upon China. Dutton's view on contemporary China is that of a society whose historical ideology contradicts the product of a capitalistic society. Dutton believes that Chinese society is conflicted between traditional ideals and modern desires. The mind-set and life goals of Chinese individuals are changing with modernization, and Chinese society as a whole has been overwhelmed and unable to handle the rapid transition it is undergoing. Dutton uses many vivid observations of everyday life in modern day China, to support his views. Dutton begins his writing by discussing the idea of human rights. He states, "It is true that, traditionally, the concept of human rights did not exist in China." (Dutton, 23). He explains that this was
Also citizens in rural areas were considered of less stature due to the benefits received and general level of education. This complex not only prevents them from gradually entering into city life, but can even lead them into crime," (Dutton, 87). Dutton claims in such a society could not function if the individuals were preoccupied by ideas of human rights. Benefits from the government were received according to where you resided. Dutton comments, "The deteriorating security situation in contemporary China has important lessons and offers some previously unknown challenges to the law in the People's Republic. With the beginning of foreign trade in the Qing dynasty, the Chinese were wary of foreign ideologies and felt it was important to maintain China's identity. In many ways it is as restrictive as a family in that you have little choice in which work unit you join and you cannot switch work units or move up within one. In order to gain respect within the community and the family, one in traditional Chinese society would strive to maintain harmony in interpersonal relationships. These days, the flow of traffic in Qianmen is heading the other way. However the peasants still came in droves to try to improve their station in life and become a part of the consumer world. Traditionally Chinese have been tied to the land. Ironically, with the coming of western culture, the idea of human rights in practice is being encroached upon, as the traditional Chinese society is not compatible to the individual demand for human rights. This mentality is a far cry from the traditional Confucian notion of filial piety. "Because the traditional conception of self is so dim, it is only within a life built around human inter-relationships that Chinese people feel comfortable. An example of such relations is given in the case of the Chinese work units.
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