从统一的多民族国家谈起——白寿彝民族理论思想及其当代价值之一

To Begin with a United Multi-Ethnic Country:—Bai Shouyi's Theory of Nationalities and the Contemporary Values

白寿彝围绕统一的多民族国家主题,提出多种形式的多民族统一理论。对这一主题和理论,他从四个方面开展系统研究:(1)如何理解统一的多民族国家的历史学概念,"统一"与"多民族"的关系;(2)为什么会成为统一的多民族国家,成为统一的多民族国家的民族团结因素和地理条件因素;(3)阐述中国社会长期以来具有一种多民族国家的统一意识的传统,多民族统一国家规模实现的四种形式;(4)在此基础上,提出中国的历史,是中华人民共和国国土上现有的和曾经有过的民族共同创造的历史这一重大论断。并从统一的多民族国家、历史分期的划分、多民族的统一三方面,探索如何编撰一部统一的多民族国家历史。

Bai Shouyi has proposed diversified forms of unified Multi-ethnic country theory around the theme of a unified Multi-ethnic country. About this theme and theory, he has made a systematic research from the following four aspects：（ 1 ） the understanding of historical concept of a unified multi-ethnic country, the relationship between ＂unified＂ and ＂multi-ethnic＂ ; （2） the reasons why China has become a unified multi-ethnic country, the national u- nity factor and geographical factor of being a unified multi-ethnic country ; （3） his elaboration of a traditional con- sciousness of unity that people in Chinese society have had for a long time, and four ways to maintain the unity of a multi-ethnic country ; （4） On this theoretical basis above, he has proposed a major argument that Chinese history has been created jointly by people of different nationalities who are living or have ever lived in Chinese territory. Furthermore, he has explored the methods of how to compile a historical book about China as a unified Multi-ethinic country from three aspects ： a unified multi-ethnic country, the division of historical stages, and the unity of different nationalities.