Heirs of Lei Feng or re-organised independence? : a study of individualisation in Chinese civil society volunteers
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This dissertation explores the ways in which individualisation processes guide and inform individual involvement with Chinese civil society organisations.It ties together three wellidentified trends in reform-era China; the growth of civil society, the rise of volunteerism, and the development of revised and stronger notions of individuality.By viewing volunteer engagement through the lens of the 'individualisation' thesis, this study represents an original examination of how stronger notions of Chinese individuality are promoting pro-social involvement in civil society and leading to the formation of new social forms and commitments.The research is based upon interviews conducted in 2011-2012 with fifty individuals volunteering in civil society voluntary organisations in one city in southwest China.Using the individualisation thesis developed by Beck, Giddens et al as a conceptual framework, the dissertation explores the trajectories of the interviewees' accounts of volunteering.It shows that strongly individualistic conceptions of 'self', 'dis-embedment' processes, and desires for 'reembedment' played central guiding roles.It re-positions the civil society organisation as a conduit that offers individuals opportunities to develop their individuality and express new conceptions of social commitments.In doing so this study conceives Chinese civil society growth as partly resulting from the individualisation processes.This dissertation also highlights the importance of recognising revised notions of individualism and collectivism in the study of contemporary Chinese society.Although most of the volunteers discussed in this study belonged to the ' 我一代' (the 'me-generation') and had strongly individualistic tendencies; they were not selfish, hedonistic, or 'money-seeking'.Nor could they be accurately described as 'disciples' or 'heirs' of Lei Feng (雷锋传人) guided by the Party-state; or nationalistic 'angry-youth', volunteering for national glory.Instead they displayed a balanced conception of individualism and collectivism, harmonising the 'I' and the 'we' in a reciprocal balance that is absent from most portrayals of the modern Chinese individual.It is possible to complete a PhD by choosing a relatively straightforward subject.Many times over the last three and a half years I have wished that this was what I had chosen to do.However, the decision to pursue a project that was guided by interest rather than achievability has, I believe, resulted in a stimulating and, most importantly, an original piece of work.Viewed from atop the wreckage of my once vibrant social life, this is a significant consolation.First of all I would like to dedicate this troublesome thesis to my un-troublesome family, especially to my mother and father, who have always fully supported me during the PhD, and during the long and winding path that led me to the PhD.Special thanks also to my sister Naomi who provided valuable insight on her long visit to China, and to my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins; your constant support was much appreciated.Also, thanks to Ruby and Hetty, both fervent enthusiasts of my work.Secondly, I would like to thank all of the people whose co-operation, ideas, and above all else, friendliness, facilitated the collection of the data for this study.Although none of you can be named, I thank you for making my long period of fieldwork such a rich and rewarding experience.I would also like to thank my supervisor Professor Xiaowei Zang for providing me with great support throughout the course of my entire
Author: Tom Bannister
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1540880744