「開化」與「殖民」兩套詮釋話語的論爭與困境——兼與John E. Herman教授商榷

Debate and Dilemma in the Narratives of 'Civilization' and 'Colonization': A Discussion with Professor John E. Herman

本文從研究視野、章節結構、資料使用、論點探討、細節商榷五個方面，試對喬荷曼（John E. Herman）教授的《雲霧之間：中國在貴州的殖民，1200－1700》（Amid the Clouds and Mist: China's Colonization of Guizhou, 1200-1700）一書作詳細評論和系統回應。同時對帝制晚期王朝南進「開化論」與「殖民論」的論爭與困境，以及國史研究中「中央王朝」對「地方社會」的思考進路，稍作探討評析。

This article aims to offer a comprehensive review of ”Amid the Clouds and Mist: China's Colonization of Guizhou, 1200-1700” by Professor John E. Herman through an intensive examination of its research perspectives, chapter structure, source, basic ideas, and minor flaws. This article also attempts to point out the fundamental dilemma in choosing between the narratives of ”civilization” and ”colonization,” as well as the dualistic paradigm of ”central government” versus ”local society” that is generally applied in investigating the vicissitudes of south China in the late imperial era.