论中国集体主义和西方个人主义_英语论文

A brief research on Chinese Collectivism and Western Individualism

摘要

随着中国的日益强大，中国与西方的国家交际越来越频繁，而文化冲突却是拦在两方之间的“拦路虎”。在集体主义盛行的中国，人们从小就被灌输要以集体为重个人为轻的观念；在西方，则倡导自由民主，推崇个人主义。那么作为同样是人类文明的重要组成部分，为何西方文明会孕育出个人主义，而中华文明则会孕育出集体主义？通过对历史渊源的研究，发现其中最能导致中国集体主义和西方个人主义的因素是教育和经济。通过研究和对比中国集体主义和西方个人主义的不同点，有助于中国与西方的文化交流。

关键词：中国集体主义；西方个人主义；差异；教育；价值观；经济

Abstract

China, an increasingly powerful country, has a closer and closer relationship with Western countries. However, cultural conflicts have influenced the communication between China and Western countries. In China, collectivism is popular among people. From childhood, people are infused with an awareness of putting country first. It is different in Western countries, people advocate freedom and democracy. Individualism is rewarded and respected. Therefore, as an important part of human civilization, it is necessary to find out the reason why Western civilization breeds individualism while Chinese civilization breeds collectivism. Education and economy are the most important elements which lead to Chinese collectivism and Western individualism. The research of Chinese collectivism and Western individualism is beneficial to the communication between Chinese and Western culture.

Key words: Chinese collectivism;  Western individualism;  difference;  education;  ethical principle;  economy

Contents 

Introduction..................................................................................................................1

1. Historical researches on Chinese collectivism and Western individualism........2

  1.1 Educational elements............................................................................................2

1.1.1 Management styles .......................................................................................2

1.1.2 Teaching contents..........................................................................................3

  1.2 Economic element................................................................................................4

2. Contrastive studies on Chinese collectivism and Western individualism...........4

  2.1 The ethical principles of collectivism and individualism.....................................4

2.1.1 The difference in definition...........................................................................5

2.1.2 The difference in positive effects..................................................................6

  2.2 Traditional cultural concept..................................................................................8

  2.3 The relationship between human and society.......................................................8

  2.4 The attitudes toward humanity.............................................................................8

3. The benefits of the research to China.....................................................................9

  3.1 The benefits in Chinese education........................................................................9

  3.2 The benefits to Chinese business negotiation.....................................................10

3.2.1 Benefits in the conflict resolution...............................................................10

3.2.2 Benefits in the attitudes toward contract.....................................................11

Conclusion...................................................................................................................11

References...................................................................................................................12