ional traders old... These days, the flow of traffic in Qianmen is heading the other way. Consumers in their tens of thousands gravitate to Qianmen and its surrounds, and it is they who constitute the traffic in the busy and over-crowded streets,” (Dutton, 1). The inflow of western ideas have made it in many cases impossible for China to maintain its traditional identity and not only changed its landscape but also the mind-set of its society.The rapid commercialization of contemporary China has proven incompatible with traditional Chinese culture. The desire to consume, to gain more capital, to improve one’s position in life has replaced the traditional desire to maintain filial piety and fulfill one’s role in society. “Because the traditional conception of self is so dim, it is only within a life built around human inter-relationships that Chinese people feel comfortable. From the traditional Chinese perspective individuality is invariably a pejorative term,” (Dutton, 46). With the coming commercialization and Western ideas, the foundation of Chinese society, the desire to contribute to the society, the desire to be selfless, and find comfort in others is becoming obsolete. Ironically, with the coming of western culture, the idea of human rights in practice is being encroached upon, as the traditional Chinese society is not compatible to the individual demand for human rights. . The commercialization of Chinese society has brought about a new class of citizens. Traditionally Chinese citizens have been tied to their land. Benefits from the government were received according to where you resided. People living in a city received greater benefits than those living in the country. Also citizens in rural areas were considered of less stature due to the benefits received and general level of education. The standards of living were significantly better in the cities. With commercia...
