Page 97 - 《社会》2025年第5期

社会·2025·5

structural indicators. “Universality”，on the other hand，is reflected in the fact that
all relational practices adhere to the ethical principles of a “differential mode of
association”， proposed by Fei Xiaotong，meaning that actors inevitably define
relationships through an internal moral compass of “putting oneself in others’
shoes”. This makes“particularity” a universal logic that permeates different contexts.
This paper argues that the core of understanding guanxi lies in grasping the
“attitude” based on the actor’s perspective. This attitude is a comprehensive
consideration of objective factors such as identity foundations，degrees of closeness，
and reciprocity，as well as subjective factors including interaction history，current
circumstances，and the actor’s mindset. It represents the actor’s integrated internal
judgment when faced with a specific individual. This research paradigm has
achieved a dual theoretical shift in guanxi studies：first，it moves away from
“instrumental rationality” towards an “ethical foundation”，rejecting the simplification
of guanxi as utilitarian tools for the exchange of interests. Instead， it first places
relationships within the ethical framework of the “differential mode of association”，
emphasizing how moral practices such as “putting oneself in others’ shoes” and
“empathy” profoundly shape the dynamics of relationship； Second，it shifts from
“structural analysis” to an “actor’s perspective”，transcending the binary division
between formal and informal relationships，and focusing on how actors’ subjective
“attitudes” dynamically construct the overall nature of relationships.
Keywords：differential mode of association，particularism，guanxi，extending oneself
to others，attitude

一、 引言

“关系”这一概念在不同的文化背景下呈现多样化的内涵。 在中国
本土的理论框架中，“关系”更是被赋予了深厚的文化特色。 近年来，向
中国传统社会思想追根溯源，并以本土概念“关系”为核心的中国特色
社会学话语体系逐渐确立，对海内外社会学研究产生了深远影响（周飞
舟，2023）。“关系”并非角色之间普遍适用的价值规范与行动准则，而是
具有高度的个体化与情境化特征，即对“关系”的理解体现了一种特殊
主义倾向。 社会中的行动者普遍践行这一原则，本文称之为“普遍的特
殊主义”。如何理解关系的这一特征？本研究将从这一问题入手分析，并

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