Culture and Privilege in Capitalist Asia - Jurusan Antropologi ...

the ‘new rich’ in Beijing is an emanation of their none-too-secure position in a
society which, until very recently, was dominated by Maoist economics and a
Maoist social ethos. The culture of these ‘new rich’ is the product of a rapidly
changing and unpredictable economic environment, in which personal trust and
reputation are valuable resources in themselves. Opulence, visibility and
connectedness are thus de rigueur if one hopes to be invited to the dinner party
after the revolution.
Notes
1 For a review of the literature see Nee and Matthews (1996) and Walder (1996).
2 For other recent discussions of social stratification and mobility in China, see Cheng
and Dai (1995), and Li (1993).
3 In 1994, 100 yuan was equal to approximately US$8.5.
4 Another consideration is more practical: if the group selected was restricted to the
very rich, the size of the sample would not allow for valid statistical comparisons.
5 For more detailed consideration of the role of different resources in income
attainment in China, see Nee (1989 and 1991).
6 For an overview of the role of connections in urban Chinese social life, see Yang
(1994).
7 For other sociological reviews on the consequences of trust and distrust, see
Gambetta (1988 and 1993).
8 My translations of Chinese text.
9 For more on the role of trust and moral judgement forming cultural distinctions, see
Lamont (1992).
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