从“治水社会”到“水利社会”——改革开放以来魏特夫史学思想在中国的传播与回响

From“Water-control Society”to“Water-conservancy Society”:Dissemination and Reverberation of Wittfogel s Historical Thoughts in China since Reform and Opening-up

从“治水社会”到“水利社会”的背后是魏特夫史学思想在中国的传播与回响。自20世纪80—90年代末基于批判立场的“自觉”传播,再到迈入21世纪以来的回响与转向,时至今日,这种过程依旧不断地进行着,越发兼具中国主体特色和开放、包容的心态,亦可以看到魏特夫史学思想具有异质的学术生命力。若考量这种生命力,会发现在历史研究中更起决定作用的往往是“非历史”的经验与认识,它们通常使历史研究者能够以崭新的视角,更加客观、冷静的立场看待与分析历史的发展变化,但同样有可能像《东方专制主义——对于极权力量的比较研究》一般带来截然相反的效果。因而必须要从中吸取经验与教训,以更加积极、平和、开放的心态面对当前和未来的类“魏特夫”。

Behind the transition from“Water-control Society”to“Water-conservancy Society”is the dissemination and reverberation of Wittfogel s historical thoughts in China.From the“conscious”spread based on political criticism from 1980s to the end of 1990s,and to the reverberation and conversion since the 21st century,today,this process is still going on continually,with more Chinese characteristics and inclusive mentality.The Wittfogel s historical thoughts seems to have a heterogeneous academic vitality.If considering the vitality,it will find that“non-historical”experiences and understandings are often more decisive in historical research,which usually enable historical researchers to analyze the development and changes of history from a new perspective,a more objective standpoint.But it may also have the opposite effect,like Oriental Despotism:A Comparative Study of Total Power.Therefore,experience and lessons should be learned from Wittfogel s historical thoughts,helping to face the current and future“Wittfogel”with a more active,peaceful and open mind.