China Social Science Review

No.2, 2024

Deepening the Study of Chinese Civilization within the Framework of “Two Integrations”

(Abstract)

Jiang Linchang

The 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization, along with the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture it has nurtured, serves as a crucial historical foundation for the Chinese path to modernization. Against the backdrop of unprecedented global changes unseen in a century, we must recognize the profound significance of studying Chinese civilization. Leveraging a century’s worth of new archaeological data, we can chart new frontiers in our exploration of Chinese civilization. Guided by the principle of integrating the fundamental tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and traditional culture (referred to as the “two integrations”), we face numerous opportunities for innovation and breakthroughs in deepening our research on Chinese civilization. Key theoretical questions such as the criteria for the origins of civilization, land systems within various civilizational forms, and the intricate relationship between slavery and feudalism are not only significant academic inquiries but also timely considerations for constructing the “three major systems” of Chinese civilization research.