A History of Ancient Chinese Society
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Summary
Editor's review
The book's scholarly contribution is mainly reflected in three aspects: first, it constructs a theoretical system for the evolution of ancient Chinese social formations and offers original views on theoretical issues such as the Asiatic mode of production; second, it emphasizes the interaction between economic base and superstructure, revealing the internal dynamics of social development through land institutions, class structures, and other aspects; third, it adheres to the methodology of unifying history and logic, carrying theoretical reflection through concrete historical investigation. Although some views in the book may need reconsideration as new historical sources are discovered, its pioneering research paradigm and rigorous scholarly spirit remain inspiring today.
For contemporary readers, reading this book requires a certain theoretical foundation in history, but even non-specialist readers can gain a systematic understanding of ancient Chinese social structures. Hou's clear problem consciousness, grand historical vision, and profound command of sources make this work, written more than half a century ago, still shine with intellectual brilliance. In today's age of fragmented reading, this kind of systematized, theorized historical research is especially worth reading with quiet attention.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Historical researchers interested in the evolution of ancient Chinese social formations
- Readers who wish to systematically understand Marxist historiographical methods
- Students and teachers in university history or sociology departments
- Theoretically minded enthusiasts who enjoy deep reflection on social structural change
Not a good fit for
- General readers seeking light, entertaining historical stories
- Beginners with no foundational knowledge of ancient Chinese history
Reading tips
- It is advisable to read the preface and introduction first to understand the author's basic theoretical framework and research methods
- Read alongside works by other historians of the same period, such as Guo Moruo and Jian Bozan, for comparative reflection
- While reading, distinguish between statements of historical fact and theoretical analysis, and maintain critical thinking
About the publisher
SDX Joint Publishing Company is a publisher known for its humanities and social science titles, covering classics, culture, history, social fiction and politics. Its catalogue of 826 books includes Chinese and foreign literary classics such as The Scholars, Camel Xiangzi and Selected Short Stories of Chekhov, scholarly works such as Studies of Chinese Cave Temples, A Study of the Tuoba History (Revised Edition) and The Nine-Rank System: A Prehistory of the Imperial Examination, and translations such as Red Star Over China and Notes from the House of the Dead. Its authors include renowned Chinese and foreign writers such as Wu Jingzi, Lao She, Su Bai and Chekhov, as well as scholars and translators such as Chen Xiaoming, Wang Benhua, Guo Changbao and Zhu Xiansheng. Its publishing character lies in balancing the popularisation of classics with academic depth, with attention to textual quality and the transmission of knowledge.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 《三联经典文库》出版缘起
- 凡例
- 本书出版说明
- 自序
- 第一章 亚细亚古代社会法则之研究
- 第一节 亚细亚“生产方法”论争之各派意见
- 第二节 亚细亚生产方法究竟是什么？
- 第三节 关于亚细亚古代底文献
- 第四节 东方文明与西方文明起源之差别性
- 第二章 中国古代社会与亚细亚生产方法
- 第一节 何谓生产方法
- 第二节 殷代社会之特性
- 第三节 周代生产方法底劳动力特性
- 第四节 周代生产方法底生产手段特性
- 第三章 中国古代文明起源的具体路径
- 第四章 古文献中最初所表现的文明人类
- 第五章 中国古代“城市国家”的起源及其发展
- 第一节 封建外衣为后人裁制证
- 第二节 “封国”非封建制度辨
- 第三节 殷末周初之作邑作邦与城市国家的成立
- 第四节 西周营国筑城，“城市国家”的发展
- 第六章 周代“城市国家”及其亚细亚特性
- 第一节 国与城同义、迁国的历史性
- 第二节 周代城市与农村的关系（国野、都鄙）及其历史悲剧
- 第三节 春秋国家及其“耦国”制度
- 第七章 中国古代氏族专政与统治阶级之起源
- 第一节 中国古代文明路径与先王的起源
- 第二节 中国古代统治者权利的起源
- 第八章 中国古代政治的变迁
- 第一节 周代政治与氏族组织
- 第二节 春秋战国的政治家比较
- 第三节 由贵族官学到平民的民主
- 第九章 周代的商人与自由民
- 第一节 周代商业资本的路线
- 第二节 周代自由民（国人）
- 第十章 古文献中最初所表现的道德起源
- 第十一章 中国古代国民晚出与贤人考
- 第十二章 中国古代氏族专政理论的修正与否定
- 第一节 宗教先王到理想先王之孔墨观
- 第二节 战国诸子对于先王观论争的思想线索
- 第三节 战国末期对于先王的还元与否定
- 第十三章 中国古代社会里秦国文明源流考
- （一）
- （二）
- （三）
- （四）
- （五）
- 第十四章 中国古代的变法运动
- （一）
- （二）
- （三）
- （四）
- （五）
- 三联经典文库第一辑简目
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About the author
Hou Wailu (1903–1987), originally named Zhaolin and a native of Pingyao, Shanxi, was a Chinese Marxist historian, intellectual historian, and educator, and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He served as president of Northwest University and director of the Institute of History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and edited works including the General History of Chinese Thought and the History of Modern Chinese Philosophy. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of Marxist scholarship on Chinese intellectual history. Two of his works are included here: The History of Ancient Chinese Society and On the History of Ancient Chinese Society, both commonly classified as history readings. His writing is distinguished by combining social history with intellectual history, examining the evolution of thought through the lens of socioeconomic structure, and has had a lasting influence in the field.
