Translated Abstract
ABSTRACT
In the successors of Western Marxism, Raymond Williams’ sociology of culture has a close relationship with Marxism from key concepts, to theory origin and to system establishment. He is one of the most important scholars in sociology of culture in Western Marxism.
As the most important Western Marxist cultural historian and cultural critic in the English world in the 20th century, Raymond Williams turned to the sociology of culture study in the latter part of his academic career and advanced cultural studies with aesthetics as the main characteristic into the field of sociological study. At this point, his theoretical contribution has broken through the critical tradition in Britain and even Europe at that time, and has creative theoretical value for the whole study of sociology of culture in the West. The dissertation is aimed at systematically analyzing the appearing、forming and developing of his ideas by reading his works, exploring the ideological connotation in his ideas, identifying the similarities and differences between Williams’ ideas and Marxism, and discussing the significance and value of his ideas for China’s Marxist cultural construction.
Williams’ sociology of culture came into being in the new cultural phase of the Western capitalist society and on the basis of renewed interpretation of classic Marxism. His ideas have overcome mechanical reflection on such concepts as culture、ideology and base-superstructure, opposed mechanical explanation of Marxism, and emphasized the center position of human consciousness、behavior、moral value and life experience. The key concepts of Williams’ sociology of culture embody a theoretical connection with Marxist theory, which adhere to Marxist materialistic spirit in culture and history and also advance Marxist study on sociology of culture by paying attention to meaning and value, and highlighting the autonomy and materiality of culture. Actually, his understanding of culture as “Signifying Practice” and cultural materialism has inherited Marxist tradition of Historical Materialism. His study of cultural institution pays attention to historical analysis of institution and its contemporary diversity, and opposes “the two-element analysis model” of “the artist” and “the public” or “culture-superstructure” and “economy-base” by adhering to Marxist theory of production. His study of culture policy shows distinct characteristics of foresight and criticism in Marxist theory.
Williams’ sociology of culture embodies problem consciousness similar to Marxist tradition, inherits Marxist liberating humanitarianism, develops Marxist theory of social structure and expands the field of Marxist sociological study with a new attempt at research methods and concepts. On the other hand, his ideas are a utopian cultural theory, which puts excessive emphasis on culture by integrating means of production、social relations and ideology and thus abstracts culture into an empty humanism concept but neglects the restricting role of economy on culture in Marxism. Williams’ sociology of culture is of positive theoretical and realistic significance for us to adhere to Marxist cultural view, gain a deeper understanding of culture, strengthen the construction of cultural institution, deepen the research of cultural policy and reflect on the creation of cultural forms.
The dissertation’s innovation is present in the following three aspects: firstly, the theory origin and system establishment of Williams’ sociology of culture are examined, especially its theory origin related to Marxist cultural and social theory; secondly, the relationship between the theory and its key concepts and Marxism is analyzed from the perspectives of cultural form、cultural production、social production and reproduction、cultural institution and cultural policy; thirdly, the inheritance and development of Marxism by Williams’ sociology of culture is explored critically, and special attention is given to the theoretical value and realistic enlightenment of Williams’ theory to our country’s cultural construction.
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