The Self in History Reflection on and Interpretation of Contemporary Historiography

This book aims to share with a wider audience a research approach that encompasses a global perspective, analyzes the dynamics and complexities of events, and transcends the barriers of disciplinary specialization through reflecting on and interpreting contemporary Chinese historical research. This is specifically reflected in the examination of the political dynamics and social development under contemporary ideological shifts at a macro-level, and at the micro-level, delving into social observation with a problem-oriented mindset to hone the historical researcher's problem awareness and insight beyond localized events.

1. The me of yesterday and the me of today: Dialogue and reflection on my academic journey (Preface).- Part I. Reflection on and Criticism of "Theoretical Travel".- 2. Paradigmatic Shifts in China Studies in the United States and the Reality Facing Chinese Historical Studies.- 3. Chinese Historical Studies in the State of "Theoretical Travel".- 4. "Postmodern" Thoughts in China.- 5. The History and End of the Legitimacy of Confucianism as the Traditional "Ideology" in China.- 6. Middle-range Theory and the Rise of New Social Historical Perspective.- 7. Modern Model of "the View of Democracy as it Should be".- 8. "Commonsense Criticism" and the Dilemma of Chinese Academic.- 9. Epidemic Prevention and Spatial Politics.- 10. A Chinese Case of "Civil Society" Study.- Part II. Exploration of Interdisciplinary Research in History.- 11. Liang Qichao’s Theory of the Transitional Period and Structure of the Contemporary "Transitional Historical View".- 12. Origin and Explanation of the "Gu Hongming Phenomenon": Virtual Imagination or Historical Reality.- 13. The "Grant Model": The Transformation of Life and Death Control Space in Beijing in the Early Years of the Republic of China.- 14. "Four Gates" Beliefs and the Construction "Feeling of Place" in Beijing in the Early Years of the Republic of China.- 15. Organizational Structure and Functional Evolution of the Qingmiao Hui in North China.- 16. A Body Politics Analysis of the Historical Process of Foot Binding Changing from "Beautiful" to "Ugly".

Yang Nianqun is a professor at the Institute of Qing History Studies at the Renmin University of China.