Xiaonong Yishi

'petty peasant mentality') is a term used to describe parochialism originating from rural China, and which is related to the insular, traditional, and agrarian aspects of Chinese culture.

[1] Long under centralized power, Chinese society is very much focused on tradition, order and authority, and on the family-based groups.

"[3] In this context, the term has been loosely defined by Chinese social scientists as a multidimensional concept that refers to a cultural psyche that is closed-minded, conservative and restrained, and fearful of competition.

A "mental hurdle" described by Mao Zedong, It has been documented by literary works such as Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth and Lu Xun's Medicine and The True Story of Ah Q.

[7] Yuan Yingchuan, Yan Hairong and Zhang Yong argue that the mentality has an element of "absolute egalitarianism", citing peasant revolts and "equality before the emperor".