Fei Xiaotong Books
Fei Xiaotong (1910–2005) was a renowned Chinese sociologist, anthropologist, and educator. He served as a professor at Peking University and as president of the Chinese Sociological Association.
Known for: From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society
Books by Fei Xiaotong
From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society
From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society is a classic sociological study by Fei Xiaotong, first published in 1947. The book systematically analyzes the structure and functioning of traditional Chinese rural society. It introduces key concepts such as the 'differential mode of association' and 'rule of ritual,' revealing the unique logic of interpersonal relationships and social organization in China. The work remains a cornerstone for understanding Chinese social and cultural patterns.
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Concept of 'From the Soil'
When I invoke 'soil,' I am not merely describing earth and agriculture but the social world born from them. The Chinese countryside has historically been a community of continuity—where people live where they are born, marry near their homes, and are buried in the same ground. That continuity gives ...
From From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society
Differential Mode of Association (Chaxu Geju)
To understand the Chinese social structure, we must begin with relationships, not individuals or groups. The Western model often assumes people are equal members of abstract categories—citizens or classes—bound together by law or mutual contract. In the Chinese world, social order radiates from pers...
From From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society
About Fei Xiaotong
Fei Xiaotong (1910–2005) was a renowned Chinese sociologist, anthropologist, and educator. He served as a professor at Peking University and as president of the Chinese Sociological Association. His research covered rural society, ethnic relations, and social development. His major works include Pea...
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Fei Xiaotong (1910–2005) was a renowned Chinese sociologist, anthropologist, and educator. He served as a professor at Peking University and as president of the Chinese Sociological Association. His research covered rural society, ethnic relations, and social development. His major works include Pea...
Fei Xiaotong (1910–2005) was a renowned Chinese sociologist, anthropologist, and educator. He served as a professor at Peking University and as president of the Chinese Sociological Association. His research covered rural society, ethnic relations, and social development. His major works include Peasant Life in China, From the Soil, and The Fertility System.
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Fei Xiaotong (1910–2005) was a renowned Chinese sociologist, anthropologist, and educator. He served as a professor at Peking University and as president of the Chinese Sociological Association.
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