Distinction in China— the Rise of Taste in Cultural Consumption

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Distinction in China— the Rise of Taste in Cultural Consumption The London School of Economics and Political Science Distinction in China— the rise of taste in cultural consumption Gordon C. Li A thesis submitted to the Department of Sociology of the London School of Economics and Political Science for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, May 2020 Distinction in China—the rise of taste in cultural consumption 2 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the Ph.D. degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgment is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorization does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 90,363 words. Distinction in China—the rise of taste in cultural consumption 3 Abstract This research studies how cultural consumption draws cultural distinctions in the most developed megacities in China. This research examines the pattern of music consumption to examine distinction—which types of music are used, how they are used, who are using them, and what are the sources of those tastes. Although some theories, such as the cultural omnivore account, contend that the rise of contemporary pop culture implies a more open-minded pursuit of taste, this research argues that popular culture draws distinction in new ways. Based on a 1048 random-sample survey and 21 interviews on music in China, this research shows how the penetration of foreign music into China has allowed it to become a form of cultural capital—high- status cultural knowledge and dispositions that can be leveraged for social distinction (Bourdieu, 1984). This research pioneers in cultural capital research the use of MIRT, a latent trait method from psychometrics, to reveal the pattern of music taste. Those with high levels of cultural capital had more exposure to certain types of music such as classical music and selective foreign pop music, which requires knowledge and research to consume, accumulating in "tastes" which they deploy to measure others. Those with low cultural capital tend to follow the mainstream or are uninterested in these music types. In turn, the meaning of cultural capital in China is examined to show how taste is influenced by not only current socioeconomic differences but also the past, most notably the privileged childhood of those growing up in advantaged families. The rise of taste in China is traced to rising inequality under Reform and Opening which led to a diverging upbringing in the newest generation of Chinese. This research updates Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital, which has traditionally focused on elite highbrow culture, by demonstrating how the influx of global culture in a contemporary society has enabled the continuation of cultural distinction. 3 Distinction in China—the rise of taste in cultural consumption 4 Acknowledgments This thesis would not be possible without the support of many people to whom I am incredibly grateful. Professor Mike Savage, my supervisor, provided tremendous support throughout the journey. This dissertation, including in its nascent formation, also received invaluable feedback from Dr. Sam Friedman my co-supervisor, Dr. Aaron Reeves, Dr. Ursula Henz, Dr. to-be Kong Pengyin, and my examiners Dr. Bingchun Meng and Laurie Hanquinet. Ideas in this dissertation have been presented to and benefitted from the insights of Dr. Wang Hongzhe, Professor Xie Yu, Professor Wu Xiaogang, and the many attendees of the seminars at Peking University. I also would like to thank all the interviewees and informants who supported the research with their trust and stories. The qualitative interviews were conducted during my exchange to Peking University, which was assisted by funding from the LSE’s Academic Partnership Office. As I discovered in my research, people are strongly influenced by earlier experiences in life. I am also thankful to all the countless teachers who influenced me during my work in the consumer industry and in all stages of my formal education, including Professor Richard Madsen my first sociology teacher. Finally, my endeavor would be impossible without the gracious support of my parents and friends. 4 Distinction in China—the rise of taste in cultural consumption 5 Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. 4 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 5 Full Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. 6 List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... 9 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ 10 PART I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 1. Distinction, taste, and cultural capital .................................................................................. 11 Chapter 2. Research Design ................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 3. The landscape of music in China ........................................................................................... 55 PART II. DISTINCTION UNDER POP CULTURE ............................................................................................ 80 Chapter 4. Cultural omnivores or the persistence of distinction ............................................................ 80 Chapter 5. Social distinction in practice ............................................................................................... 120 PART III. CULTURAL CAPITAL IN CHINA ................................................................................................... 135 Chapter 6. The sources of taste in China—intergenerational endowment or individual attainment? ... 135 Chapter 7. The habitus of the new generation—the formation of cultural capital in China .................. 171 PART IV. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................... 192 Chapter 8. Distinction and cultural capital in China ............................................................................. 192 PART V. APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................. 209 Appendix 1. Supplementary Tables ..................................................................................................... 209 Appendix 2. Questionnaire .................................................................................................................. 211 Appendix 3. References ...................................................................................................................... 214 5 Distinction in China—the rise of taste in cultural consumption 6 Full Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. 4 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 5 Full Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. 6 List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... 9 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ 10 PART I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 1. Distinction, taste, and cultural capital .................................................................................. 11 Chapter 2. Research Design ................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 3. The landscape of music in China ........................................................................................... 55 6 Distinction in China—the rise of taste in cultural consumption 7 PART II. DISTINCTION UNDER POP CULTURE ............................................................................................ 80 Chapter 4. Cultural omnivores or the persistence of distinction ............................................................ 80 Chapter 5. Social distinction in practice ..............................................................................................
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