Breakdown of Trust Culture: A Study of Folk Lottery in Chongchuan Town

Author: Qiu Jianxin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Trust is the lubricant of social interaction and the catalyst for economic prosperity. However, trust has become one of the most scarce resources in today's society. This study, set against the backdrop of social transformation, focuses on the "town" as a specific community as the lens of observation. It follows the thread of the collapse of a folk "Biao Hui" (a traditional Chinese savings and loan association) that embodies high levels of trust and has even been cited by some renowned Western sociologists as a case study of the source of Chinese social capital, ultimately leading to its disintegration. Through in-depth case study, the research aims to demonstrate the profound impact of social change and transformation on interpersonal trust within communities.