[issue] issue 第2题求狠砸 To understand the most important characteristic of a society, one m

Major cities are sure to be essential when learning about asociety. But what major cities revealed is not necessarily the most importantcharacteristic of a society. Because major cities are easier influenced byforeign culture and lack in primitive traditions, they also couldn’t representaverage level of the whole society.

I think the most important characteristic of a society is howparticular traditions establish people’s lifestyles. Benefit from theinclination of sources from the authority, major cities could usually get anexcellent foundation to express the core of traditions. In this aspect, majorcities indeed deserve scrutiny. For example, Forbidden City in Beijing is anapropos symbol of traditional Chinese philosophy. Buildings are symmetrical,which illustrates their value of harmony. Palaces are allotted by their owners’status, which reveals sense of hierarchy. Every room is decorated with Chineseelements.

Furthermore, these beliefs influence Chinese until now. Peopletend to abide by hierarchical rules in cooperates especially those state-ownedones. Many people like showing their connections with traditional culture by displayingChinese calligraphy or antiques works in their house. Undoubtedly, these characteristicsof significance to China are embodied more obviously and persuasively in majorcities, because abundant resources usually gather here.

However, major cities also confront the phenomenon that they are moremixed with foreign cultures. This will dilute traditional parts both inlifestyles and concepts. Shanghai is an exemplary major city. To cater to foreigntourists’ taste, many traditional sights are modified with exotic elements. Awareof more lifestyles worldwide, the young in this cosmopolitan pursue petty bourgeoisieromance. These typical city features are not representative in the wholeChinese society. Because few cities except the major ones in China could establishconstant and frequent connections to foreign countries in commerce, culture oreven tourism. What Shanghai tells you is not the most important characteristicin the whole society.

I think the best way to observe a society is to analyze the macro imageinstead of narrowing the viewpoint to static spots like major cities. The mostimportant features are usually contained in dynamic trends. If you want toseize the emphasis of England society in 18th, though you couldn’tignore what happened in London, the most remarkable characteristics come fromthe trends like industrialization, urbanization, democratization and so on. Onlyin these trends are various factors integrated. The more integrated your observation is, the more comprehensive andconvincing your results will be.

Besides major cities, what’s more captivating is how and whythese cities became influential. Society is integrated and dynamic.