Theories about the formation of lineage system since the Song and Ming dynasties

Abstract

The discussion of the formation of patriarchal lineage system since the Song and Ming dynasties can be divided by the turn of 1980s and 1990s. The earlier period research is rationalized by four theories under the perspective of feudal society: the theory of village commune, the theory of lineage authority, the theory of patriarchal thought, and the theory of the restriction of land relations. The theoretical breakthroughs of the latter focused on the lineage’s popularization, “three changes” of the kinship organization and the social vicissitude, the national identity, the lineage’s community-compactization, and the generalized analysis on the reason of patriarchal lineage’s formation.