A New Discussion on"Hebei Huhua Theory":An Interpretation Based on Traditional Social and Political Structure of the Central Plains
The theoretical foundation of Chen Yinke's"Hebei Huhua Theory"河北胡化论(Theory of Hebei People's Assimilation by China's northern tribes)is the ethnic-cultural perspective of history,which contains two decisive relationships:culture determines ethnicity and ethnicity-culture determines politics,reflecting the influence of cultural nationalism.However,the former is not valid,and the latter cannot be predated to ancient times.The core of the Hebei Huhua Theory does not lie in complete Hu-assimilation on which Chen Yinke insists;rather,its validity lies in whether the localized political model and moral framework are influenced by non-Han cultures.This article points out that the traditional social structure of the Central Plains with"Chaxu Geju"差序格局(differential modes of association)has shaped norms of behavior attaching higher value to closer relationships than to those more distant,and the political structure of the dynastic state with the dual nature of family and country has constructed a dual morality of dependence and restriction between monarchs and ministers.The two are reflected and combined through the game of Renqing 人情(human relationships and ethical considerations),laying a moral foundation for the subject's relativistic loyalty.According to this morality,the monarch must take care of the interests and benefits of the core-relationship circle of his subjects in order to stimulate their sense of gratitude.The limits of moral obligations of both parties in the Renqing pattern loyalty are set by the political game of various forces.The Heshuo Gushi 河朔故事(The Heshuo Story)is a new political and moral agreement reached during the process of rebuilding the ruling relationship between the central government and the feudal lords after the An-and-Shi Rebellion安史之乱.It represents the development of the moral and political models of the Central Plains society based on the new reality of Hebei's political independence,rather than a result of assimilation by Hu.Identifying Heshuo people as the Yi and the Di夷狄(uncivilized people)is a political rhetoric of"respecting the king and expelling the uncivilized"尊王攘夷,rather than a true criterion for distinguishing ethnic groups.The organizational principles of traditional society dominated by core-relationalism have provided important impetus for the historical cohesion of the Chinese nation.
Hebei Huhuaethnic-cultural perspective of historyChaxu Gejudual nature of family and countrycore-relationalism
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