The Path to a Great Power: Deng Xiaoping and the Twenty Years of Sino-US Diplomatic Relations (Political and Social Changes in Modern China)

Author: Gao Zhan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: The academic series "Political and Social Change in Modern China" is the final outcome of a "985" research project at Sun Yat-sen University of Guangzhou, focusing on the relationship between political and social change in modern China. Politics is a broad and complex concept. This project adopts a broad definition of politics, expanding the research scope to political thought, political institutions, the international environment, foreign relations, as well as key political figures and major political 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 influence of politics on foreign relations, particularly the political attitudes and governance theories, policies, and methods of important figures and their social impacts. This study aims to explore the interactive relationship between politics and society from multiple perspectives and levels using the theories and methods of political sociology, measuring and evaluating 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 was formed under the political framework of a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. On one side, capitalistic imperialism and feudalism, as well as bureaucratic capitalism, 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 development path of modern China. Modern Chinese politics 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 concentrates its efforts on developing the economy, culture, and education, rapidly advancing Chinese society. Previous research on modern Chinese history has achieved fruitful 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 been studied relatively weakly in terms of its social impact, and there is an urgent need for more research and higher standards. There is also a trend of shifting research focus from various social aspects back to the center and an objective requirement to improve from specific research to a holistic grasp. Previous political history research focused on 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 and the advancement of theories in modern Chinese political history research. This project takes the interactive relationship between modern Chinese politics and social change as the basic starting point, establishing an innovative and era-specific macro-explanatory system based on existing micro-research. 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 research and innovative 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 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 cooperation among scholars, demonstrating great potential in multiple areas. The research on the "Political and Social Change 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 researcher explores new frontiers based on their interests and findings. Many of the works presented are their doctoral theses, which received excellent 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 and angles, each with unique characteristics and strengths, demonstrating foresight and academic rigor. The academic series "Political and Social Change in Modern China" now presented to readers is the result of their hard work. We hope these achievements will help and inspire people to understand the relationship between politics and social change from new angles. Of course, we also look forward to criticism and corrections from readers and the academic community.