Social Survey Series of the Republic of China -- Volume on Social Organizations

Author: Li Wenhai, Editor-in-Chief, Xia Mingfang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Time: Not Available
Features: In the long history of thousands of years in China, the first half of the 20th century, marked by the Republic of China, was merely a fleeting moment. However, it was undoubtedly one of the most turbulent and dramatic scenes in terms of social life. During this period, new systems coexisted with old traditions, construction walked alongside destruction, revolution clashed with reaction, internal troubles and external crises pressed in. Every aspect of Chinese society, whether political systems, economic foundations, science and technology, or ideology and cultural customs, was undergoing significant changes and transformations, ultimately laying a solid foundation for the victory of the New Democratic Revolution. As time passed, especially with the arrival of the 21st century, the "Republic of China" gradually broke free from the framework of the history of the Chinese Revolution that had long covered it. In a sense, the Republic of China has been recognized and accepted as an important historical period, alongside the previous 26 dynasties in Chinese history. In academic circles both domestically and internationally, an increasing number of scholars have begun to study various aspects of this period from the perspective of a specific historical era. It is also worth noting that with the deepening of academic research and in response to the needs of contemporary Chinese society, the study of the Republican era has gradually shifted its focus from the sensational historical figures, thrilling political events, and entertaining anecdotes of the past, expanding into or, more accurately, delving deeper into the realms of economic and social life. In the words of Marx, this means "moving from the superficial appearance of political forms into the depths of social life," thereby making the study of the Republican era more closely linked to contemporary society, which is centered on economic development. As a result, the history of the Republic of China has not only presented its original and complete form to the people of contemporary China, becoming a new hotspot and growth point in the study of Chinese history and even in the broader academic field. Moreover, it will inevitably play an increasingly significant historical role in the economic construction and social development of contemporary China, thereby attracting broader attention from all sectors of society. However, it is regrettable that to date, despite the extensive collection and publication of historical materials related to the Republican era, encompassing archives, local chronicles, newspapers and magazines, official documents, private writings, and memoirs from the People's Republic period, these materials are all extremely valuable. Yet, few have noticed another unique treasure trove unique to the Republican era—massive social surveys conducted by major political forces and factions, local governments, academic organizations, schools, and individual scholars, particularly rural social surveys. Compared to other materials that have already been compiled, these surveys possess unique and irreplaceable academic and collection value. This is not only because the surveys covered an extremely broad scope, encompassing natural environments and social life in urban, rural, and other areas across most provinces of the country, but also primarily because these surveys were largely completed using modern scientific methods, such as modern economics, anthropology, sociology, and other approaches, with the results presented in the form of survey reports or even academic papers. This approach preserved a vast amount of survey data and original materials while also consolidating the analyses, insights, and recommendations of relatively advanced Chinese intellectuals of the time on various natural, social, political, and economic issues, offering significant practical reference value. These surveys are invaluable first-hand original materials for in-depth research and understanding of urban and rural social issues in old China, as well as an extremely rare intellectual repository for contemporary socioeconomic construction. In fact, the survey materials from the Republican era have already moved beyond the confines of historical studies and have attracted the attention of scholars in other disciplines.