A Sociological Analysis And Understanding Of The Dissymmetrical Exchanges Of Presents In The Countrysides During The Transitional Period

The article discusses the background of the "social reality" that there are the dissymmetrical exchanges of presents in the countrysides during the transitional period. It also analyses the causes and consequences of the "social reality" from a sociological perspective. Taking the characteristics of Chinese culture and districts into consideration, the author states that although courtesy, reputation and relationship are main factors concerning in the dissymmetrical exchanges of presents, to establish a relationship is the key purpose to obtain some rare social sources or capitals. With the acceleration of the social transition, the traditional notional presents with tenderness have gradually become utilitarian, and the opposing scopes between presents and commodities have also been fainted. The article, therefore, analyses the origins of certain social class' culture and the structural causes in the social system for "the seemingly irrational exchanges" on which people are keen at present. It is these factors stated above that weaken and even abolish the receivers' duty to return presents, which results in the abnormality of present exchanges with a traditional value that courtesy demands reciprocity, and also results in the appearing of a tendency of the concentration of property, power and reputation towards the receivers. While people are struggling to eliminate the social inequality, such a struggle is further consolidating the inequality of the social structure, which reversely results in the appearance of the social classes in a new turn. The author believes that we need to concern and comprehend such a social fact in two ways: to cultivate a new culture in socialism countryside and to perfect the system construction, especially the construction in democracy and politics. We should buildup the individual villagers' abilities to withstand the natural and social dangers as well as the abilities to ensure themselves. And we should deepen our understanding to the realities and enrich the sociological theories on the presents through carefully descriptions of the real pictures of the rural life.