Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.2, 2015

 

Inertial Expression and Dilemmas in Research on North China Villages over the Last Century: A Case Study of Lengshuigou Village, Jinan

(Abstract)

 

Zhao Xingsheng

 

Over the last century and more, an inertial discourse system has developed in research on North China villages. Mutually reinforcing studies, experience and theories on changing village traditions, seen in the light of the longue duree, demonstrate that Lengshuigou Village, with its fine traditions and convenient location near the provincial capital, has had growing contact with external markets. The village’s distinctive flavor is increasingly evident, and it has a relatively high standard of economic and socio-cultural development; yet it is frequently criticized in past research as closed, conservative, poor and backward. Modernity-dominated rural research forms an inertial discourse system that disrupts the regionalism, continuity and integrity of social history development and fails to understand or misunderstands village history and the nature of the village. To resolve this modern discourse dilemma, we must maintain a correct historical view, and, in particular, carry out our investigations from the viewpoint of the longue duree, putting a value on historical integrity and continuity and highlighting the important role of grassroots social practice in historical development.