中国改革开放经济发展的文化价值动因

Abstract

改革开放40年以来中国经济高速发展,对其原因的探讨多集中于制度、政策和发展战略方面;对其文化动因的探讨则比较少见,已有讨论也主要是指出儒家价值观念的影响。但儒家价值可能并非近年中国经济崛起的主要动因,相反,被儒家主导价值长期"温和地压抑"的广大民众对物质生活的追求,才是40年来中国经济高速发展的根本动力。这种动因也深深地植根于人性和中国的历史文化传统之中。从西周开始中国有了主导价值追求的第一次转向,即从宗教转向人文,也形成了一些有助于经济发展的世俗德性。到了近代,中国社会有了主导价值追求的第二次转向,即从人文转向富强。但这一价值追求经历了一个曲折的过程,直到40年前的改革开放,才为这一追求提供了一个良好的制度平台,取得了让世界瞩目的经济成就。这种根本价值动力和相关德性在未来将如何变化,有待进一步观察。

China's economy has developed rapidly in the past 40 years since Reform and Opening-up.The explorations of its reasons have mainly been focused on the aspects of institutions, policy and development strategy. The discussion of its cultural motivation is relatively rare, and mainly points out the influence of Confucian values. However, Confucian values may not be the main driving force for the rise of China's economy in recent years. On the contrary, the pursuit of material life by the general public who have been "mildly suppressed"by Confucian dominant values for a long time is the fundamental driving force for China's rapid economic development in the past 40 years. This motivation is also deeply rooted in human nature and Chinese historical and cultural traditions. From the Western Zhou Dynasty, China began its first shift in the pursuit of dominant values, that is, from religion to humanism, and also formed some secular virtues conducive to economic development. The dominant values of modern Chinese society began a second turn, that is, from humanities to prosperity and strength. However, this pursuit of value went through a tortuous process until40 years ago, when the reform and opening up provided a good institutional platform for this pursuit and has achieved economic achievement that attracts worldwide attention. The future change in this fundamental value driving force and its related virtue deserves further study.