Center and Periphery -- The Nationalist Regime and the Society of Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai (Political and Social Changes in Modern China)

Author: Liu Jin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The academic research series "Political and Social Changes in Modern China" is the final outcome of a "Project 985" research initiative at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, focusing on the relationship between political and social changes in modern China. Politics is a broad and complex concept. This project adopts a broad definition of politics, expanding its research scope to political thought, political institutions, international environment, foreign relations, and significant political figures and events in modern China. It combines politics and society to examine the relationship between politics and the economy, the impact of politics on education and talent cultivation, the role of politics in social stability and civilization, and the influence of politics on foreign relations, particularly the political attitudes of key figures and the social effects of their governance theories, policies, and methods. It aims to explore the interactive relationship between politics and society from multiple perspectives and levels using the theoretical and methodological approaches of political sociology, and to evaluate the correctness of political ideas, propositions, and the governance of political figures based on the stability, progress, development, and degree of civilization of society. This is a new attempt. The politics of modern China was formed under the political framework of a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. On one side were capitalistic imperialism and feudalism, as well as bureaucratic capitalism, which held the ruling power over China; on the other side were the vast patriotic and revolutionary masses and various intellectuals pursuing progress and keeping pace with the trend of the times. These two sides represented the two social forces in China and reflected the two prospects of modern China. Their political ideas, thoughts, and proposals for reforming China constrained the developmental path of modern China. The politics of modern China is the central content and foundational background for examining the social transformation of modern China. In modern China, political power is held by the broad masses of the people, with the state's power center being the central government led by the Communist Party of China. The state focuses its efforts on developing the economy, culture, and education, rapidly advancing Chinese society. Previous research on modern Chinese history has achieved substantial results and significant breakthroughs in various aspects, but there are also shortcomings. For example, the key hub controlling the social transformation of modern China—political change—has relatively weak research on its social impact, with a more urgent need for research and higher requirements. There is also a trend of research focus shifting from various social aspects back to the center and an objective demand for moving from specific studies to a more holistic grasp. Previous political history research emphasized class struggle and revolutionary movements, unidirectionally explaining the turmoil and instability caused by political change in society, as well as its impact on the economy, culture, and education. To some extent, this limited the expansion of the field of modern Chinese political history research and its theoretical advancement. This project takes the interactive relationship between political and social changes in modern China as the basic starting point, establishing an innovative and era-specific macro-explanatory system based on existing micro-studies. Guided by the expansion of observational scope and the deepening of research levels, it aims to enhance research standards and open new paths through the combination of macro and micro studies and the innovation of research methods. The history of modern Chinese politics is an important aspect of modern Chinese history research. Overall, past research has been characterized by both a large number of achievements and severe flaws, leaving considerable room for further development. Sun Yat-sen University has a strong tradition and advantage in the study of modern Chinese political thought, political institutions, political figures, and international relations. It leads the domestic and international academic community in research on Sun Yat-sen and modern Chinese politics, adheres to academic norms, and has long fostered a spirit of seeking truth and practicality, as well as a collaborative academic atmosphere. It has great potential in multiple areas. The research on the "Political and Social Changes in Modern China" project involves senior professors and doctoral supervisors, postdoctoral researchers, and the rest are doctoral graduates, forming a research team that combines experience, middle-aged, and young scholars. Each conducts new explorations based on their interests and research findings. Many of the works are their doctoral theses, which received favorable evaluations from their thesis committees after repeated revisions before being published. They have conducted specialized research on the relationship between modern Chinese politics and society from different perspectives, each with unique characteristics and strengths, demonstrating foresight and academic rigor. The academic series "Political and Social Changes in Modern China" now presented to readers is the fruit of their hard labor. It is hoped that these achievements will help and inspire people to understand the relationship between politics and social change from new angles. Of course, we also expect criticism and corrections from readers and the academic community. This book is based on a large amount of authentic historical materials, comprehensively discussing the political strategies of the Nationalist Party government in governing the Northwest since the 1920s, as well as its specific practices and achievements in politics, economy, military, culture, and ethnic and religious affairs. It analyzes the internal conditions of the society at the time, such as local warlord rule, local governance structures, and social characteristics. It is an overall account of the Nationalist government's "Development of the Northwest."