Annual Academic 2006

Author: Zhao Tingyang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The Annual Academic is a large-scale collection of humanities and social science essays published annually. It introduces cutting-edge research achievements in major fields of China's humanities and social sciences, focuses on in-depth studies of significant theoretical issues, and translates selected new works by renowned overseas scholars. Its aim is to establish a responsible academic expression platform in Chinese and promote the development and progress of academia. The Annual Academic 2006 is the fourth issue of the series. The theme of this issue is "Rural and Urban." Rural and urban issues have taken on special manifestations in China's development. Although China has long been predominantly rural, the model of "the rural China" has faced immense challenges from modernization. Now, what we are facing are actually "new rural China" and new rural issues. Despite this, "land" and "farmers" remain China's most significant terms, deeply intertwined with the country's national development and security. Modernization in cities is a relatively new phenomenon in China. High-speed urbanization and metropolization have created production and lifestyles completely different from traditional society, plunging people into a new world of glittering wealth and fleeting joys, where both real and illusory wealth and happiness coexist. Although people have enthusiastically embraced the urban movement, we have reason to doubt that we truly understand cities, nor do we know what they may bring—just as no one knows what they truly desire. This book primarily features long-form academic essays written by prominent scholars currently active in academia. The articles are divided into three thematic sections: "Rereading Fei Xiaotong," "Rural and National Development," and "Sensory Cities," focusing on current most important social issues from different perspectives and levels, making it a significant academic gathering of the year.