The Travel Of A Theory: Habermas’s Public Sphere Theory In China

When Habermas’ s public sphere theory was introduced in the middle 1990 s, Chinese scholars began to know this theory and study on it. Although many scholars study this theory, no one has comprehensively done the research on the accepting process of this theory in China. In this thesis, the author collects the representative works about this theory from the middle 1990 s to now. These works include books and papers written by Chinese scholars. On this basis, the author uses Edward Said’ s traveling theory to analyze the accepting process of this theory in China.This thesis is consisted by 5 parts. In the introduction part, the author introduces the public sphere theory and explores the current studies. In chapter one, the author studies the rise of the study on public sphere theory in China. It includes the background of the rise of the study and the characteristics of the early studies. In chapter two, the author studies the debate which is caused by the public sphere theory. The core of the debate is whether there is public sphere in China and whether public sphere theory can be used to analyze Chinese society. In chapter three, the author explores the accommodation of public sphere theory in China. During this period, public sphere theory is accepted by Chinese academia. But the theory undergoes some changes. There appear some new trends in the study of public sphere theory because of the development of public sphere in the cyberspace.In this thesis, the author analyzes the origin, resistance and accommodation of public sphere theory in China and studies the public sphere in the cyberspace. When public sphere theory was introduced into China, there appeared 3 kinds of views. Finally Chinese academia accepts the third realm theory. The author thinks that the third realm theory is an objective theory. Because it finds the differences and commonalities between western countries and China. Through this thesis, we can know the accepting process of public sphere theory and the new trend of the studies in China. The resistance and changes of this theory reflect the differences between western countries and China. We can know how the Chinese academia treats western culture. Public sphere theory being accepted by Chinese academia also reflects the influence of western culture on Chinese culture. The popularity of public sphere theory actually forms an academic public sphere in China. It can help us deepen the understanding about public sphere theory.