Population Mobility and Passive Alienation: A Survey Analysis of Chinese Urban Residents' Cultural Life Perceptions. Issue 137 (3rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mu, Chen; Chen, Bo
• Is Part Of: Journal of contemporary China. Volume 31:Issue 137(2022)
• Page Start: 810
• Page End: 825
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03
• Subjects: China -- Periodicals; China -- Politics and government -- 1976- -- Periodicals; Chine -- Périodiques; Chine -- Politique et gouvernement -- 1976- -- Périodiques; 306.0951
• DOI: 10.1080/10670564.2021.2010890
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-0564

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The gradual collapse of the work unit system and high population mobility have exacerbated Chinese urban dwellers' life uncertainties, and many have been forced to invest less in their surroundings and become alienated from local life. This study posits that people's passive alienation from local life is mainly due to certain cultural differences at the interpersonal level and a lack of cultural ties at the person-place level. Self-location, self-extension, and self-storage are the three main dimensions of reorganization that Chinese urban dwellers must consider in their local lives. Currently, Chinese urban dwellers' local lives remain in a state of constant flux. Cultural memories of Chinese cities and beliefs regarding future culture continuity could play a role in the reorganization of Chinese urban dwellers' local lives.