Sociology in China

Sociology became a subject of academic interest in China in 1920s, [1] and in 1947 sociologist Fei Xiaotong published a book, From the Soil, that sought to establish a framework for detailing Chinese society and its moral and ethics. A few years later, in 1949, the Communist party established control of Mainland China, and by 1952 sociology was banned by communist authorities as a bourgeois pseudoscience, similar to what happened in other communist countries (see for example history of sociology in the Soviet Union or sociology in People's Republic of Poland).[1][2] Existing sociologists were discriminated against during the Cultural Revolution and their works restricted.[1] In 1979, Chinese communist leader Deng Xiaoping noted the need for more studies of the Chinese society and supported the reestablishment of the discipline.[2] That year, in March, Chinese Sociological Association (CSA) was reestablished.[1] Since then, sociology has been widely accepted as a useful tool for the state, and sociology graduates have often been employed in government institutions.[2] Reestablishment of the field was also aided by the growing cooperation between Chinese and American sociologists.[1]

However, sociology suffered another setback in China after the Tiananmen Square protest in 1989.[2] Sociology was seen as a politically sensitive discipline, and was replaced in the role of primary social science state adviser by economics.[2] In the recent years, with socio-economic policies such as the socialist harmonious society, sociology has been coming back to graces with Chinese policy makers.[2]

As of 2008, Chinese universities and social science academies for example :(Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) employ over 6,000 sociologists and their programs offer 74 bachelor’s degrees in sociology, 87 master’s degrees, and 16 doctoral degrees.[1][2]

China has two premier sociology journals: the Journal of Sociological Research (JSR) (Shehuixue Yanjiu, published since 1986) and Society (Shehui, since 1982). There are also hundreds (about 900) university- or institute-sponsored social science journals in which sociological research is often published, most notably, Chinese Social Sciences, Shanghai Social Sciences and Social Science Frontiers.[1]

Chinese sociology, since its reestablishment in 1979, concentrates on applied, policy-oriented, empirical research, to justify its support by the state.[2] A notable example of the use of sociology by state planners was the impact of works by Fei Xiaotong on the policies of industrialization and urbanization of the rural countryside.[2] In the recent years, policy priorities have been shifting from efficiency and growth to social justice, in order to reduce social tension and maintain political stability.[2] In particular, sociological research in China focuses on issues related to socioeconomic developments, such as social stratification, social mobility, community construction, state-society relations, migration and economic sociology.[1][2]

In 2003, a large Chinese General Social Survey program has begun.[1][2]

Chinese sociology has also been steadily moving from overemphasis on Marxism (see also Maoism and Marxist sociology).[2]

On the other hand, there is a notable lack of theoretical research in Chinese sociology, as it is still looked upon unfavorably by the state.[2]

• Scientific Development Concept
• Xiaokang

• Yanjie Bian. “Sociological Research on Reform-Era China,” Issues & Studies (2003) 38/39: 139–174.
• Xueguang Zhou and Xiaomei Pei. “Chinese Sociology in a Transitional Society,” Contemporary Sociology (1997) 26: 569–572.
• Nan Lin, Victor Nee, William Parish, and Elena Yu. “The Development of Sociology in China: A Delegation Report,” Ford Foundation (1993)
• Anthony Oberschall, Teaching Sociology in China, China Exchange News, v14 n3 p5-8 Sep, 1986
• Alice S. Rossi, ed. Sociology and Anthropology in the People’s Republic of China: Report of a Delegation Visit, (National Academy Press, 1985).
• Lucie Cheng and Alvin So. 1983. “The Reestablishing of Sociology in the PRC: Toward the Signification of Marxian Sociology,” Annual Review of Sociology (1983) 9: 471–498.
• Maurice Freedman, Sociology in China: A Brief Survey, School of Oriental and African Studies, 1962 (JSTOR)