套用 Iron cage 的理論，我想要先簡短地探討資本主義，以及資本主義下的中國

少數民族。
資本主義
資本主義是一種經濟體制，強調市場競爭和利潤追求。在 Weber 的「Iron
cage」理論中，他描述了西方資本主義是如何從新教倫理，特別是加爾文主義
的勤儉工作倫理中發展而來的。然而，隨著時間的推移，即使宗教的力量衰
退，資本主義的經濟結構和官僚制度卻依然堅固，形成了一個限制個人自由和
創造力的「鐵籠」。
在中國，資本主義的發展始於 19 世紀中葉。鴉片戰爭之後，外國的技術和生產
方式傳入中國。這種發展在一定程度上推動了中國的工業化和現代化，但也將
中國帶入了韋伯所描述的「鐵籠」之中。在這個框架下，經濟增長和物質追求
成為社會的主導價值。
資本主義下的中國少數民族
接著，我們來探討資本主義下的中國少數民族。隨著中國的資本主義化，社會
普遍認為賺錢和追求利益至上。這種觀念的固化及工業化的推進對許多少數民
族文化造成了衝擊。起初，一些少數民族可能認為資本主義的發展會帶來利
益，但隨著時間的推移，他們逐漸發現自己的文化正在改變甚至消逝，這形成
了一個嚴重的文化衝突。
動機（Motivation）
我們之所以選擇這一主題是因為它貼近我們當下的生活，並且揭示了在現代社
會下，我們周圍可能面臨的一些文化衝突。
我們可以發現，在 Iron cage 的框架下，經濟利益和理性計算如何成為了支配一
切的原則，而這種價值觀對於文化的保護和多樣性的維護是具有矛盾的。
特別是在中國這樣一個多民族的國家，資本主義的推進和經濟發展對少數民族
文化的衝突尤為明顯。我們也看到了在 Iron cage 模式下，經濟發展對於傳統文
化的強大衝擊力。

我們希望通過研究這一主題，能夠引起更多人對少數民族文化保護的關注。同
時也反思如何探討如何在追求經濟繁榮的同時保護和促進文化遺產的傳承。

維吾爾族語言面臨著消逝危機
在中國，有那麼一個少數民族正面臨著自己語言消逝的問題，就是居住在中國
西部的「維吾爾族」。
中國政府認為，維吾爾族的教育落後，其根本原因在於維吾爾語本身。政府指
出，維吾爾語缺乏現代科學技術的專業詞匯，從而限制了使用該語言進行某些
學科教學的可能性，並且影響其以後的就業競爭力。因此，政府提倡將教學的
語言從維吾爾語轉換為漢語，目的是提升維吾爾青年的教育水平，使之不亞於
漢族同齡人。
不少維吾爾族家長對此並無太多反對意見，他們認為學好漢語，能對孩子的未
來有所幫助。
然而，也有許多維吾爾族的家長認為，這樣的政策將使他們的孩子在流利使用
母語上付出一些代價。他們認為使用母語進行教育對於孩子的社會和道德發展
至關重要，並且是維繫孩子與維吾爾文化的重要方式。

雙語政策引起蒙古族出現巨大反對浪潮
值得注意的是，除了維吾爾族之外，中國的蒙古族也面臨這樣的危機。2020
年，他們的政府實行所謂的「第二類雙語教育」政策。這項政策意味著蒙古族
學生將不再用他們的母語——蒙古語學習文學、政治和歷史，而是改用漢語。

這項政策引發了蒙古族社會中空前的反對浪潮。家長、學生甚至整個社群紛紛
走上街頭，穿著傳統服飾，舉著標語，高喊著「我們的母語是蒙古語！」和
「我們到死都是蒙古人！」的口號，來表達他們對母語與文化被邊緣化的深切
不滿。
傣族傳統節慶商業化
接下來要舉的例子是傣族。傣族主要是分佈在中國的雲南省。在傣族，有個很
重要的傳統節日叫做「潑水節」 。
潑水節通常於每年 4 月 13 日至 15 日舉行，是傣族人民慶祝新年和祈求豐收的
重要活動。在這個節日裡，人們通過向他人潑水來表達祝福和喜悅。

然而，隨著社會和經濟的發展，潑水節的傳統文化內涵正在發生變化。過去，
人們慶祝潑水節的寓意深刻——透過潑水希望帶走煩惱、疾病和災禍，迎來健
康與幸福。但現在，潑水節的娛樂特徵被放大，許多遊客參與僅因為節日的新
穎性和趣味性，卻對其起源、歷史和文化含義所知甚少。到現今，潑水節逐漸
變成了一種“狂歡化”的活動。對許多人來說，潑水節更像是一場玩水的盛大
活動。這種變化雖看似是對其他民族文化的熱忱，但實際上反映出對傣族文化
的不尊重。

潑水節作為宣傳的噱頭
為了吸引更多遊客，一些當地旅遊景點甚至將潑水節作為一種宣傳手段。也就
是說，這個節日不再局限於特定的時間舉辦，而是成為一些旅遊景點的常規活
動。雖然“潑水節”活動的舉辦次數增多，但其獨特的文化內涵並未得到有效
的傳承和發展。不少當地居民對於自己的傳統節慶被如此商業化感到不滿，認
為現在的潑水節已經淪為「偽民俗」，彷彿他們僅僅是在為外人表演自己民族
的傳統。
I am going to talk about capitalism and its impact on ethnic minorities in China,
using the theory of the 'Iron Cage.'

Capitalism and Weber's 'Iron Cage

Capitalism is an economic system that focuses on market competition and profit-
making. The 'Iron Cage' theory by Weber describes how Western capitalism
developed from Protestant ethics, especially the Calvinist work ethic of thrift and
hard work. Over time, even as the power of religion weakened, the economic
structure and bureaucracy of capitalism remained strong. This created an 'Iron
Cage' that limits individual freedom and creativity.

Capitalism in China
In China, capitalism started growing in the mid-19th century. After the Opium
Wars, foreign technology and methods of production were introduced into China.
This contributed to China's industrialization and modernization to a certain extent.
However, it also brought China into the 'Iron Cage' described by Weber. Under this
system, economic growth and the pursuit of material wealth became the main
values in society."

Ethnic minorities in China under capitalism

As China became more capitalist, society started to believe that making money and
chasing profits is most important. This fixed idea and the push for
industrialization have impacted many ethnic minority cultures. At first, some
ethnic minorities might have thought that the development of capitalism would be
beneficial. But over time, they began to see their cultures changing or even
disappearing. This has caused a serious cultural conflict."

Motivation
We chose this topic because it's really relevant to our lives today and shows the
cultural conflicts we might be facing in modern society.

We notice how, under the 'Iron Cage' framework, economic gains and rational
calculations have become the main guiding principles. However, this way of
thinking can clash with protecting and maintaining cultural diversity.

This is especially true in a multi-ethnic country like China. The push for capitalism
and economic growth has had a clear impact on the cultures of ethnic minorities.
We also see how, under the 'Iron Cage' model, economic development can strongly
affect traditional cultures."

The Uyghur Language is in Danger of Disappearing

In China, there's an ethnic minority whose language is at risk of disappearing.
This is happening to the Uyghur people who live in the western part of China.

The Chinese government believes that the Uyghurs are behind in education
because of the Uyghur language itself. They say the Uyghur language doesn’t
have enough modern scientific and technical terms, which makes it hard to teach
some subjects in this language and affects job opportunities later on. So, the
government has changed the language of instruction from Uyghur to Mandarin in
Uyghur schools. The goal is to improve the education level of Uyghur youth so
they can be on par with their Han peers.

However, there are also many Uyghur parents don't have a big problem with this.
They think learning Mandarin will help their children's future.

But, a lot of Uyghur parents believe that this policy will cost their children the
ability to fluently use their mother tongue. They feel that being educated in their
own language is very important for their kids' social and moral growth and is a
key way to keep them connected to Uyghur culture."

Big Opposition from the Mongolian Ethnic Group to Bilingual Policy

It's important to note that, besides the Uyghur people, China's Mongolian ethnic
group is also facing a similar crisis. In 2020, their government implemented what's
called the ' the Second-Generation Bilingual Education' policy. This policy means
Mongolian students will no longer learn literature, politics, and history in their
mother tongue, Mongolian, but in Mandarin instead.

This policy caused a huge wave of opposition in the Mongolian community.

Parents, students, and whole communities took to the streets. They wore
traditional clothes, held up signs, and shouted slogans like 'Our mother tongue is
Mongolian!' and 'We are Mongolians till we die!' to express their deep
dissatisfaction with their language and culture being marginalized."

Commercialization of the Dai Ethnic Group's Traditional Festival

The next example is the Dai ethnic group, which mainly found in Yunnan
Province, China. There’s a very important traditional festival in Dai, It is called the
'Water Splashing Festival.'

This festival usually happens from April 13th to 15th every year. It's a big event
for the Dai people to celebrate the New Year and pray for a good harvest. During
this festival, people splash water on each other as a way to share blessings and
happiness.

However, as society and the economy have developed, the traditional cultural
meaning of the Water Splashing Festival is changing. In the past, the festival had
a deep meaning – splashing water was about washing away troubles, sickness,
and disasters and welcoming health and happiness. But now, the festival has
become more about entertainment. Many tourists join just for the novelty and fun,
knowing little about its origin, history, and cultural significance.
Nowadays, the Water Splashing Festival has turned into a kind of 'carnival' event.
For many, it's more like a big water party. This change might seem like
enthusiasm for other cultures, but it actually shows a lack of respect for Dai
culture.

Using the Water Splashing Festival as a Marketing Gimmick

To attract more tourists, some local tourist spots have started using the Water
Splashing Festival as a marketing tool. This means the festival isn't just held at its
specific time anymore; it's become a regular activity at some tourist attractions.
While the number of Water Splashing Festival events has increased, the unique
cultural significance isn't being effectively passed on or developed. Many locals are
unhappy about their traditional festival becoming so commercialized. They feel like
the current Water Splashing Festival has turned into 'fake folklore,' as if they're
just performing their ethnic traditions for outsiders."