Can North American Sociology be Applied to China?

Abstract

It is truly an honor for me to address you tonight. I say this not just to be polite but because I hope this talk can be an example for many more frank and open discussions with foreign guests. In recent years in China this was not possible. I stress the points "frank and open" because sociology is a discipline that has a lot to do with politics. If I can't talk about the politics involved in sociology then I can't say anything worthwhile, and if I can't do that I would rather not say anything at all. As a part of the whole truth I think it is necessary to make some small, tentative statements about certain dangers of applying North American sociology in China.

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