Stability and instability: Hierarchy, authority, and archaeologists in China

The thesis examines the lived experience of archaeologists in China to investigate how social relations, hierarchical structures, and the exercise of authority affect archaeological lives and work. Archaeologists are chosen for study because of the peculiarities of their social relations with officials, peasants, and each other. These social relations are first divided based on their relative Stability. 'Stable Relations' are those for which traditional conventional models exist to provide guidance both for behavior as well as the interpretation and judgment of behavior. 'Unstable Relations' are those for which no models---or only negative models---exist. The thesis proceeds to examine the many differences in the strategies and tactics used in Stable and Unstable Relations.; In Stable contexts, three types of strategies are described. Guanxi strategies of the performance of trust and compatibility are used to reproduce and, most importantly, strengthen Stable Relations. A second strategy involves the juxtaposition of the often conflicting roles and expectations of different Stable Relations in particular contexts in order for either Inferiors or Superiors to wrest authority from the other. A third strategy is the creative interpretation of conventional models of the individual to justify and explain failure or success.; In contrast, it is impossible to list and catalogue the tactics used in Unstable contexts. Nevertheless, all tactics do share the primary goal of asserting a hierarchy on the Unstable situation. By allocating superordinate and subordinate roles, the Unstable Relation is converted into one emulating a Stable Relation. The thesis examines tactics claiming the subordinate position as well as those claiming the superordinate position.; Finally, the thesis presents four circumstances in which strategies and tactics are limited: the first being the 'always successful Oligarch;' the second of the 'always unsuccessful Woman;' the third of the relations between China and Taiwan; and the fourth of the relations between China and the 'Foreign.' These cases are provided to further our understandings of how the essentialisms of age, sex, and race act to modify the strategies and tactics of both Stable and Unstable Relations.