Cold War and Civil War -- The Origins of US-Soviet Competition and the Nationalist-Communist Conflict (1944-1946) (Political and Social Changes in Modern China)

Author: Zhang Zhenjiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: "The Academic Series of 'Political and Social Changes in Modern China'" is the final outcome of the "985" research project at Sun Yat-sen University of Guangzhou, focusing on the relationship between political and social changes in modern China. Politics is a broad and complex concept. This project defines politics in a broad sense, expanding the research scope to political thought, political institutions, international environment, foreign relations, and significant political figures and events in modern China. By integrating politics and society, it examines 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 political attitudes and governance theories, policies, and methods of important figures and their social impacts. It aims to explore the interactive relationship between politics and society from multiple perspectives and levels using the theories and methods 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. Modern Chinese politics emerged within the political framework of a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. On one side were capitalistic imperialism, feudalism, and 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 times. These two sides represented the two social forces in China and reflected the two future prospects of modern China. Their political ideologies, thoughts, and proposals for reforming China constrained the developmental path of modern China. Modern Chinese politics is the central content and foundational background for examining the social transformation of modern China. In contemporary China, political power is held by the broad masses, 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 instance, the study of political changes—the key hub controlling the social transformation of modern China—has relatively weak research on its social impact, necessitating more urgent research needs and higher standards. There is a trend of shifting research focus from various social aspects back to the center and an objective requirement to improve from specific studies to a holistic grasp. Previous political history research emphasized class struggle and revolutionary movements, unidirectionally explaining the turmoil and instability caused by political changes for society, and to some extent, limited the expansion of the research field and theoretical advancement of modern Chinese political history. This project takes the interactive relationship between political and social changes in modern China as the basic starting point. Building on existing micro-level research, it establishes an innovative and era-specific macro-level interpretive system, guided by the expansion of observational scope and the deepening of research levels. Through the combination of macro and micro research and the innovation of methods, it aims to enhance research standards and open new pathways. 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 shortcomings, leaving considerable room for further development. Sun Yat-sen University has a strong tradition and advantage in researching modern Chinese political thought, political institutions, political figures, and international relations. It leads the domestic and international academic community in studies on Sun Yat-sen and modern Chinese politics, adheres to academic norms, and has long fostered a spirit of seeking truth and practical collaboration among scholars, demonstrating 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 with a mix of experience levels. Each member explores new frontiers based on their interests and research findings. Many of the works presented are their doctoral theses, which received favorable evaluations from their dissertation 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 of 'Political and Social Changes in Modern China'" now presented to readers is the fruit of their hard work. We hope these achievements will help people understand the relationship between politics and social changes from new angles. Of course, we also expect criticism and guidance from readers and the academic community.