论中华人民共和国史研究

On Research on the National History of the People’s Republic of China

中华人民共和国史是指1949年中华人民共和国成立后,共和国领土范围内社会及社会与自然界关系的历史。从经济社会发展道路或目标模式的角度来观察,国史大致可以划分为五个时期,其主线至少有三条。研究国史,需要明确现代史与当代史的关系,尤其要处理好它与中共党史的关系。认清什么是国史的主流,关键在于如何看待改革开放前的历史,特别是那段历史中发生的失误和错误。国史研究具有较强的阶级性、政治性和意识形态性,但这并不必然削弱它的学术性、科学性。国史研究除了具有史学各分支学科所共有的传承文明、咨政育人的功能外,还有"护国"的重要作用。在今天,只要尊重客观事实,遵守学术规范,当代人不仅可以写好当代史,而且可以在国家机构主持下写好国史。

The history of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) refers to the history of the society and of the relations between society and nature within the 9.6 million square meters of Chinese territory since the foundation of the PRC in 1949. Viewed from the perspective of the trajectory of economic and social development or goal models, the history of the PRC can be roughly divided into five periods with a minimum of three main threads. In researching this subject, we need to make clear the relationship between modern and contemporary history, and in particular to handle correctly the relationship between research on PRC history and that on CPC history. The key to clarifying the mainstream of PRC history lies in how we treat its history prior to reform and opening up in 1978, and especially the mistakes and errors of that period. Research on national history carries a relatively strong class, political and ideological character, but this will not necessarily weaken its academic and scientific nature. Apart from those functions of transmitting civilization, informing government and educating the people that are common to all branches of history, research on the history of the PRC also plays an important role in 'safeguarding the country.' At present, provided that objective facts are respected and academic norms observed, people today will be able not only to write the history of our era but also of our nation under the auspices of government bodies.