权力的文化网络:研究中国乡村社会的一个重要概念——读杜赞奇《文化、权力与国家》

Cultural Network of Power:An Important Concept for Studying Rural Society of China ——Reaction to Prasenjit Duare′s Culture,Power and State

从宗族、宗教、水利组织、市场体系和婚姻圈以及象征、信仰等方面对美国学者杜赞奇在《文化、权力与国家》一书中所提出的"权力的文化网络"这一重要概念进行分析和评述,指出这一概念对于研究中国乡村社会具有重要的方法论意义;俾使研究者避免将国家与乡村社会简单对立起来的二分法思维方式和将复杂的社会现象、文化现象看成单向联系的线性因果历史观,并借以纠正那种把"社会"、"文化"笼统地视为一个整体的"整体观"。

Cultural network of power'is an important concept suggested by American scholar Prasenjit Duare in his book Culture,Power and State.After analysing and evaluating this concept from the angles of patriarchal clan,religion,organization of irrigation works,market system and matrimonial circles as well as symbol,belief and other aspects,the author points out that this concept is of important methodogical significance for studying rural society of China.This concept makes researchers to avoid dichatomizing mode of thinking which setsrural society against state simply and to avoid linearly causal view of history which looks upon the complicated social phenomenon and cultural phenomenon as unidirectional connection.This concept also is given to correct the so-called 'view of entirety'which regards'society','culture'as an organic whole in very general terms.