Penetration and Expansion of Multi-Networks: A Study on the Interactive Relationship between Overseas Chinese and Their Hometowns in Fujian and Guangdong

Author: Zheng Yisheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-03
Features: It is a great pleasure to write the preface for Dr. Zheng Yisheng's book, "Open to All." Because of a three-year special bond I share with him, I have a deeper understanding of him and the origins of this work—his doctoral dissertation. Dr. Zheng Yisheng's monograph builds upon the "Network Theory" of predecessors and proposes the concept of a "multi-layered network" encompassing rural areas in Fujian and Guangdong and overseas Chinese communities. By integrating it with practical examples, he elaborates on its historical and contemporary significance, as well as the patterns of mutual penetration and expansion. This approach provides a deep quantitative analysis of the transformation in the interactive relationship structure between overseas Chinese and their hometowns, summarizes the institutional changes in hometowns, and discusses the long-term nature of the interaction between overseas Chinese and hometowns, all of which lead to convincing conclusions.
"Network" is an anthropological and sociological concept rooted in structuralist academic traditions. From an anthropological and sociological perspective, a network is essentially a form of social relationship that connects individuals, classes, organizations, groups, and others in a certain way. It also represents a relatively stable pattern of interpersonal interactions over time. The types of multi-layered networks can be categorized as economic and non-economic networks. From a functional perspective, multi-layered networks can be further divided into horizontal networks, vertical networks, loose networks, and hybrid networks.