Use of the word “communal” rose sharply during the Cultural Revolution, especially from 1970 to 1976; it decreased during the 1980s. (China launched economic reforms in 1978, and they continue to this day.)
The word “autonomy” was used just one-third as frequently as “obedience” in 1970. In 2008, the ratio had flipped and “autonomy” appeared three times as much as “obedience.”
The increase in use of words like “choose,” “compete,” “private,” “autonomy” and “innovation” demonstrated a growing prevalence of individualistic values coinciding with sharp rises in urban population, household consumption and education levels.
Words reflecting communal values, such as “help” and “sacrifice,” declined in frequency.
via Words used in Chinese books illuminate how a nation’s values changed during economic reforms | UCLA.
Utopia, you are standing in it! 
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