Journal of Shanghai University (Social Science Edition) ›› 2009, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (4): 5-19.

• Articles •     Next Articles

On Social Contradictions 

  

  1. (School of Liberal Arts, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444)
  • Online:2009-07-15 Published:2009-07-15

Abstract:

Abstract: Over the past one or two decades, China has been in a period of social transformation. With the enhancement of urbanization level, urban maladies are exacerbating. Especially, the global economic crisis triggered by the financial crisis, is bringing about the multiplicity and complexity of social contradictions, which increases the price and cost of social, economic development in China. It will depend on our ability to resolve social contradictions to weaken the financial crisis, by social management skills, so as to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Under the new situation, a large number of social contradictions belong to the ones on the premise of identical fundamental interests, which, in nature, are contradictions among the people or the contradictions between the public power and the private right, or the contradictions between the citizen and its society, rather than antagonistic contradictions. By deeprooted reasons, chiefly, there are following social contradictions: contradictions between the rich and the poor; contradictions between officials and people; contradictions between the government and the society; contradictions between all kinds of culture. All these contradictions are characteristic of following ten aspects: (1) from the viewpoint of causes, possessing complexity, comprehensiveness, and multifactors; (2) from the viewpoint of process, showing burstiness and agility; (3) from the viewpoint of scale, having a tendency to increase, and being full of large groups; (4) from the viewpoint of organization, having tightness; (5) from the viewpoint of intensity, displaying a tendency toward violence; (6) from the viewpoint of means, coming forth intelligence; (7) from the viewpoint of resolving processes, embodying sustainability; (8) from the viewpoint of magnitude, being global; (9) from the viewpoint of consequences, being dangerous; (10) from the viewpoint of periodicity, being intermittent, periodic and thematic. In order to resolve abovementioned social contradictions, it is necessary to bring into use a variety of skills, including ones of such scopes as law, policy, economy, morality, administration, religion, as well as the regulation about rural people. More importantly, it is also vital, by virtue of reform spirit, to make research for new skills of resolving social contradictions. First, learn how to do mass work and social work. This should be our fine tradition, but under the new situation, it is not only to be reemphasized, but also to be developed. On the one hand, correct the wrong view of the masses so as to put right their position; and on the other hand, understand better the masses and be friends with them, only by doing which, can we suit the remedy to the case. At the same time, believe in and rely on the masses, and use their language when doing works about them. And also, make a full use of their organization and take sociology as a theoretical guidance. Secondly, learn how to use extensive discussion to resolve social contradictions. In doing so, such methods as comparison, identification and debate should be used so as to improve fully the efficiency of resolving social contradictions. Thirdly, learn how to use extensive mediation to resolve social contradictions. While an enthusiastic team in mediation should be established, a threedimension network of mediation should be formed, in which, there are both core and periphery. What's more, build a system of mediation and continue to improve working methods. Since harmonious society doesn't mean society without contradictions, nor society without confrontations, contradictions in society are universal. The law of social evolution is the form, resolving and combination of the contradictions between the two parties. 

Key words: Key words: social contradictions; way to resolve social contradictions; urban maladies; extensive discussions; extensive mediations

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