论元明之间的变革

On the Transformation during the Transitional Period from the Yuan to the Ming

宋元变革论、明中期变革论、宋元明过渡论等关于宋代以来中国历史分期的认识,均认为元明两朝之间主要表现为连续而非变革。本文从政治变革及其对经济、社会、文化领域的塑造两个角度,探讨元明之间在国家地缘格局、制度来源与演变趋势、经济政策、社会组织、意识形态等方面的变革现象。结论是：元明之间发生了比两宋、宋元、明清之间更加全面、深刻的变革,元明之际与明中期变革之间的＂明前期＂可以被视为一个有独立价值的历史单元。这项认识,或可丰富对宋代以来中国历史的整体认识。

Many scholarly discussions have concluded that the nature of the transformation from the Yuan dynasty to the Ming Dynasty is featured by continuity,rather than change.Based upon a close examination of the political changes and their impacts to the economy,society,and culture during that era,this article argues that there were significant transformations happening in terms of political geography,state system,and policies.It is concluded that a more profound change than those occurred during the Northern Song to the Southern Song,from the Song to the Yuan,and that from the Ming to the Qing,took place during the Yuan to Ming transitional era.