“区域研究”的学科建构及基本理论问题

Development of Regional Studies in China and Its Basic Theoretical Questions

区域与国别的关系、区域研究与国别研究的关系、区域的建构性、区域研究的特性模式与宗旨等问题,是区域研究的基本理论问题。“区域”作为一种研究领域,与“国别”有所不同,区域既是客观存在,更是主观建构,具有宏观性、整体性、立场性的特征。区域研究既有跨学科、超学科的特性,又要靠“区域+学科”这样的研究模式来体现,从而形成区域文学、区域史学、区域哲学、区域政治学、区域经济学等一系列分支学科。区域研究的根本宗旨是建构区域的“共同历史”“共同文化”乃至“区域共同体”,尤其是文化共同体和审美共同体;它还作为“东方学/西方学”下的一个次级概念,将各种具体的区域研究统御起来,并在“国别研究→区域研究→东方学/西方学→世界体系研究”这一学科序列中明确地定位与定性。

This paper attempts to suggest a number of basic theoretical questions regional studies must answer,namely the relationships between“region”and“nation”and between regional studies and national studies,the constructive nature of“region”,characteristics of and approaches to regional studies as well as its research purpose.“Region”is more of a concept than an objective existence.Regional studies is interdisciplinary,encompassing both the social sciences and the humanities such as literary studies,historical studies,political science and so on.It also goes beyond the confines of any one of those disciplines.While it covers a smaller area than oriental studies or western studies,regional studies incorporates national studies,aiming primarily at developing a common history,a common culture or even a common community of that region.