Shaojie Liu - Origin and Expansion of Chinese Sociology

Jointly published with China Renmin University Press

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Now, there are quite a few libraries, and there are several sociology libraries. Commissioned by the China Renmin University Press to host a sociological library under such circumstances, I have to ask myself: Is this library simply a number in quantity, or should it be provided with its own characteristics in quality as far as possible? This is an issue of positioning that this set of libraries will inevitably face. After consideration, the positioning of this library involves at least the following four aspects:

First, it is a research library. That is to say, the works in this library must be research and exploratory. If it is a research and exploratory library, the essential elements are associated with something new, that is, it is somewhat innovative, and therefore they are different from general informative, introductory, and compiling works. This is not to say that the latter is unimportant, but that the latter should have its own publishing channel because it is a different category.

Second, it is a high-quality library. That is to say, in the research work, we value high-quality works. The so-called high-quality works should conform to at least one or all of the following items in terms of content: First, it can make a convincing analysis of social hot spots and focal issues of common concern from a sociological perspective, and it is recognized that it has insights and can stand the test of time and history. Second, it can contribute to the realization of the deep concept of sociology that enhances social progress and reduces social costs. Third, it promotes the subject construction and theoretical innovation of sociology. Fourth, it promotes the internationalization and localization of Chinese sociology. In terms of form, it is necessary to have a narrative form that matches the content, have better readability, explain the profound in simple terms as far as possible, enjoy both elegance and vulgarity as much as possible, and be loved by everyone.

Third, it is a library that breathes new life into sociology. That is to say, through the research-oriented masterpiece, those nobody with little or no fame in the social circle, the new forces and the rising stars have increased their popularity to different degrees, and are introduced to the academic circle and society so that they can become academic celebrities as soon as possible. In this sense, this library may become one of the effective channels for training sociological talents. As we all know, there is no hope for subjects and academic circles without or lack of new forces. Of course, this is not to say that we can ignore the current academic celebrities in any sense. They are our most important force to rely on, and bear the responsibility of helping the backward. We sincerely hope that the existing academic celebrities and those who are about to stand out will make this library a veritable library of celebrities and play a greater role in academic circles and society.

Fourth, it is a library for different schools of thought to contend. An academic world without different schools of thought contending cannot be said to be mature. I have stressed many times in the social circle that more schools and less sects. Because the school dispute is about academic issues and academic viewpoints, using academic standards, they can fiercely argue with each other, but they are still friends. Sectarian disputes are based on nonacademic standards, uniting with those of the same views but alienating those with different views, showing the spirit of whoever does not sing with us is our enemy. Therefore, the disputes between the schools contain good intentions, and they compete with each other to promote academic studies; however, the disputes between sects contain bad intentions, and they attack each other, hindering academic studies. If this library has played its due positive role in promoting the formation of sociological schools with different views and the fruitful contention of different schools, we will be very pleased. This library will treat all schools with different views equally.

In short, we sincerely hope that this library can produce research results, excellent products, famous people and schools. In short, we regard the Four productions as the orientation of the sociology library of China Renmin University Press.

The ancients once said such a meaning, positioning on a high level, you may achieve a middle level; positioning on a middle level, you may achieve a low level. This positioning of Four Productions in this library should be at a high level from the target, but there are still two possibilities for the results: High level or middle level. We hope to be able to fight for the former possibility and avoid the latter. Finally, the readers and time will have the final say.