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International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology, 2021, 3(19); doi: 10.25236/IJFS.2021.031913.

Mobility and Cultural Convergence in the Context of Modernity—A Case Study of the Immigrant City: Shenzhen

Author(s)

Hu Nan

Corresponding Author:
Hu Nan
Affiliation(s)

Communication University of China, Nanjing 211172, China

Abstract

The concept "mobility" always has a rich connotation in my mind that it refers to not only demographic changes, but also far-reaching impacts of social, economic, cultural and demographic reproduction of a country or region. Mobility is regarded as an animal instinct and attribute, but its significance for human is manifested not only in biological characteristics, but also in the form of diversity in society, history and civilization. In the process of modernization, "modernity" and "mobility" have a much closer relationship and "immigration culture" is undoubtedly the most representative practice of this relationship in contemporary society. Indeed, cultural convergence is more than short-term cultural changes; it is a large-scale, long-term and gradual change of concept, behavior criterion, social structure and other aspects. This paper puts forward the social concept "mobility" in the context of modernity and takes the example of Shenzhen, China's largest immigrant city to analyze the characteristics of population migration, cultural convergence and the corresponding impacts of "risk society" (Giddens, 1994:5). Through interviews, case study and personal reflection, this paper investigates the significance of mobility in relation to cultural convergence which not only means "movement" but also means "meaning" and examines whether "mobility" is a representation of cultural reproduction and a basic feature of modernity. 

Keywords

Mobility; Cultural Convergence; Modernity; Shenzhen

Cite This Paper

Hu Nan. Mobility and Cultural Convergence in the Context of Modernity—A Case Study of the Immigrant City: Shenzhen. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology (2021), Vol. 3, Issue 19: 65-71. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFS.2021.031913.

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