‘봉건사회’-‘군현사회’와 동아시아 ‘근대’ 시론(試論)

Abstract

This article is a hypothetical attempt to reexamine East Asian history from the early modern era to the present from the viewpoint of “fengjian society” (封建社會) and “junxian society” (郡縣社會). It also is a reinterpretation of the historical phenomenon called the “modernization” of East Asia. This can be said to be an objection to the traditional view of the transition from feudal society to the modern era. China, which is a typical “junxian society,” was characterized by vigorous commercial activities and voluntary operation of the private sector, especially after the Ming and Qing dynasties. The weakness of the status system also led to numerous literati the attention and participation of politics. This society was more autonomous (disorder) rather than discipline (control). On the other hand, Japan’s “fengjian society” was in some ways similar to Europe, and the control of power reached the level of the lower and local society. The status system was strong and political participation was locked in the system. The “feudal society” with such characteristics has affinity with the parliamentary democracy and the nation state. Of course, these “fengjian societies” have rapidly shifted to “junxian society” based on these systems since “modernization.” However, the characteristics of “fengjian society” still exist. On the other hand, “junxian society” China is struggling with the parliamentary democracy and the construction of the national state. Is not there a possibility to interpret these phenomena as a new frame proposed in the present paper rather than merely as a development phase of advanced-backward countries?