唱盛中国:西方学界的当代中国重估

Sing Praise to China——Re-evaluation of Contemporary China by the Western Academic World

近20年来,西方学术界特别是历史学界兴起了一股为中国翻案的风气。这种翻案的大体趋向是挑战长期以来被认定为中国历史尤其是17世纪以来历史上的种种消极现象,如政治上闭关锁国、经济上停滞不前、科技上乏善可陈、文化上守旧落后等等。学者们发掘新材料,诠释旧史料,运用新理论,开始从诸多方面重写明清和中国近代史。说得夸张一点,是从历史上为中国唱赞歌,故可称之为"唱盛中国"。"唱盛中国"着重点在以下两个方面:其一是挑战中国落后论;其二是挑战中国封闭论。

During the recent two decades,in the western academic world,especially in the field of history,scholars used new theories and materials to rewrite the history of Ming and Qing dynasties and that of modern China.This can be described as singing praise to China from a historical perspective.It challenges the viewpoints that China are backward and closed.