统一与分裂:中国历史的启示

Reunification and Split:A Lesson from Chinese History

中国历史是一连绵不断的演进过程,国家统一、民族团结的内聚力不断增强。自春秋战国至清前期,虽曾经历了三次社会大分裂,但最终还是走向了秦汉、隋唐和元明清三次大统一。统一的时间越来越长,统一的规模越来越大,统一的制度基础越来越坚实。分裂的代价逐渐为人们所认识,统一的意义逐渐为人们所肯定。传统的古代社会,以战争方式谋求统一,几乎成为不二铁律。在当代世界,以和平方式谋求国家统一,成为人们更理性更睿智的选择,但这只是寻求国家统一方式的发展趋势,能否成为不二铁律尚待人类历史实践的检查。

Chinese history is one of continuous evolution with national unity as the dominant power. From Spring and Autumn period to Qing dynasty, the country experienced three social divisions, but eventually moved toward the Qin and Han, Sui and Tang, Yuan, Ming and Qing general unifications. In the course, the time of unification became longer, and the scale became larger, the basis stronger. The heavy costs of split were gradually realized, and unification was highly appreciated. Traditionally ancient society resorted to war for unification, and that almost became a standard iron law. In the contemporary world, nations apply peaceful means to seek reunification as a more rational choice, but weather it can become a standard iron law remains to be proven by history.