Modernity and the Transformation of the Life World: A Sociological Study of the Daily Lives of Urban Residents in China in the 1920s and 1930s

Author: Lu Hanwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: History is created and passed down by countless "ordinary people." Understanding the daily lives of these "ordinary people" is of great significance for recognizing true history and reflecting on the circumstances of contemporary people. The author of this book has made valuable explorations in this regard. The book treats urban residents as a dynamic concept, elaborating on the interactive isomorphic relationship between this group and the changes of modern society, providing a new framework for us to think about and observe the tortuous process of China's modernization. — Professor Zheng Haosheng, President of the Chinese Society of Sociology and Doctoral Supervisor at Renmin University of China
One of the pressing issues in the current study of modern Chinese social change is how to strengthen quantitative analysis based on qualitative research by introducing the methods of quantitative history, thereby enhancing the accuracy and scientific rigor of research findings. Another issue is how to truly adopt a people-centered approach and strengthen the study of lower strata of society, especially their real-life conditions. It is gratifying to see that Lu Hanwen's work has made encouraging explorations and achieved substantial breakthroughs in both aspects by constructing a corresponding social indicator system. — Professor Ma Min, Doctoral Supervisor at the Institute of Modern Chinese History, Central China Normal University
This book centers on people's lives and development, organizing and analyzing a large amount of historical survey and statistical data. It proposes a set of evaluative social indicators to examine urban residents in China during the 1920s and 1930s from the main aspects of material life and consumption levels, group life and social interactions, cultural and educational life, and spiritual life, revealing the modern elements in their daily lives. By understanding cities and urban residents as dynamic developmental series, the book clarifies the urban-rural relationship in modern China, discusses the formation and changes in the living environment, social behavior, and subjective attitudes of urban residents, and explains their significance for understanding social transformation.