The Root of Chinese Civilization and the HistoricalCultural Foundation of the Right Path in Solving Ethnic Issues with ChineseCharacteristics: Based on the Understanding of “StateNation” Theory

（1. School of Sociology and Population Studies， Renmin University of China， Beijing， 100872， China;

2.Teaching and Research Department of Ethnic Theory and Policy， Party School of Inner Mongolia， Hohhot， 010070， China;

3. University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences， Beijing， 100001， China）

JOURNAL OF ETHNOLOGY， VOL. 15， NO.01， 49-59， 2024 （CN51-1731/C， in Chinese）

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1674-9391.2024.01.006

Abstract：

Taking the cultivation of a strong sense of community for" the Chinese nation as premise and focus，" unwavering adherence to the right path in" resolving ethnic problems with Chinese characteristics is" a concentrated reflection of the Partys governance strategy in the field of ethnic work. It is embedded in the modern Chinese national governance system， and has profound historical and cultural significance. The" “root of Chinese civilization”" can be defined as the main" cultural characteristics and evolutionary logic" that describe an entire civilization， which reflects the different characteristics of civilization subjects in a comparative sense.Within the context of Chinese civilization，" Pan Yues discourse on “the root of Chinese civilization” offers a precise explanation of its" cultural characteristics and evolutionary logic： It describes the value system of Chinese civilization， with its emphasis on the pursuit of “order” as a central" principle together with the formation of a “unified”" institutional structure oriented towards “unity” through historical processes. Pans address provided a comprehensive" perspective for understanding the principles of ethnology contained in Chinese history.This" article" aims to build on" existing research" into" Chinas institutional practice from a historicalcultural perspective. It particularly examines" the foundation of the civilization theory constructed by Chinas" multiethnic society as its research object， focusing on the specific governance arrangements of the right path in solving ethnic issues with" Chinese characteristics . Additionally， the article seeks to systematically shed light on the normative" influence" of the historicalcultural characteristics of Chinese civilization on this path. Finally， it discusses unique structural forms of contemporary Chinese ethnic affairs governance.

This article" argues" that the characteristics of Chinese civilization have laid a historical and cultural foundation for the governance system of" modernday China. Within the context of constructing a multiethnic country， the" mentioned" normative role of “the root of Chinese civilization”" conceivably includes an ontological structure of a multiethnic country，" which is based on the principle of" “great unity，”" the value theory of Chinese culture， which promotes the coexistence of multiple ethnic groups， the political principle of equality among all" ethnic groups in practice theory， and the teleology of unity and development， which serves as a guiding principle for the nations progress and unity. These four dimensions of “the root of Chinese civilization”" have constituted a vertical relationship between the state and the nation， and the paradigm of “one country with multiple ethnic groups” it points to." Within the theoretical perspective the" “statenation”， the “one country with multiple" ethnic groups” paradigm holds that" currently" the Peoples Republic of China has" assumed a higher level of leadership over" its 56 ethnic groups recognized after the founding of New China，" emphasizing the fusion of national sovereignty and systemic coherence. At the same time， it acknowledges the" survival and development of each ethnic group" at a foundational level." The dialectical unity between the two" aspects reflects a" fundamental principle of" prioritizing unity and coherence in national construction， while not ignoring diverse elements and driving forces. This dialectic conceivably"" determines the superiority of the correct path to addressing ethnic problems with Chinese characteristics . This superiority is specifically reflected in its distinctive work guidance concept， practical and feasible political participation methods， and real and effective achievements in community construction， highlighting the modern" civilizational value of the “Chinese view of China”.

Key Words：

StateNation Theory; the root of Chinese civilization; a" correct path in solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics