Published in 2015, this study by Bai Rubi offers a sociopolitical examination of the public conflict over Guangxi Yulin’s Dog-Meat Festival, a highly contentious cultural practice. The author constructed a conflict behavior model to interpret the internal mechanisms driving both pro-festival and anti-festival groups.
The analysis identified the fundamental clash between humanitarianism—which views dogs as sentient companions deserving protection—and utilitarianism, which frames dog consumption as a culturally rooted, practical behavior. Bai argues that these divergent value systems underpin the motives, normative judgments, and perceived legitimacy of each side’s actions.
The study further clarifies how legitimacy and efficiency mechanisms influence collective behavior. For supporters of the festival, legitimacy is derived from tradition, perceived cultural autonomy, and notions of resource use. For opponents, legitimacy is grounded in moral responsibilities toward animals, globalized ethics, and welfare concerns. These competing frameworks shape not only public debate but also policy pressure.
Bai concludes that resolving such conflicts requires more than legal intervention; it demands structured public discussion, moral guidance, and gradual cultural transformation. The author recommends that governments facilitate dialogue to foster shared understanding while strengthening regulations and promoting societal moral development to reduce harm and guide evolving norms.
Source: Bai, R. (2015). Humanity and Utility: “Dog-Meat-Festival” Conflict Behavior Analysis Under the Legitimacy and Efficiency Mechanism. Published 2015.
