Chinese unit society: Discussion, Thinking and Research: Discussion, Thinking and Research

Author: Li Hanlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The main characteristic of Chinese society in the 20th century was the "work unit society." In a work unit society, people are familiar with each other, know one another, and live together day and night, influencing and relying on each other. It is a "society without strangers." Here, the life of the work unit becomes the norm of people's social life, and the norm of their social behavior. Previous studies on work units emphasized the role of the unit as an important organizational form. Through years of reflection and empirical research, the author of this book proposes the idea of the unit as a system and structure. The author explores the mechanisms of social control in China's work unit society from a macro perspective; analyzes the social processes and consequences of power, resources, and interdependence within China's work unit organizations from a meso perspective; and focuses on studying the behavioral tendencies and characteristics of people in China's work units from a micro perspective. In short, the unit does not merely mean a "workplace"; more importantly, it represents a chosen way of life, a form of dependence and reliance.