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Despite his central importance for the establishment of professional historical studies in PRC, the existing studies neglect Jian' Cambridge University Press & Assessment Özgür BOZAN Alternatif Politika, 2025, 17 (1) - DergiPark

was a towering figure in 20th-century Chinese intellectual history, serving as a bridge between traditional Chinese scholarship and modern Marxist historical materialism. Born into a Uyghur family in Hunan province, Jian’s dual identity as an ethnic minority and a dedicated revolutionary intellectual deeply influenced his efforts to reconcile China's diverse cultural heritage with the universalizing claims of Marxism. Intellectual Contributions and Historiography Despite his central importance for the establishment of

As a scholar and later the vice-president of , Jian Bozan sought to move beyond mere textual criticism—which he and other Marxist thinkers often dismissed as "bourgeois"—to uncover the underlying "historical laws" governing China's development. His most significant work focused on: His most significant work focused on: : A

: A contemporary professor of Information Systems at Duquesne University known for research on collaborative work environments and virtual teams. He famously opposed the "Maoist view of history"

: He applied Marxist theories to ancient Chinese history, arguing that the nation’s social structure was essentially a feudal mode of production within a semi-colonial, semi-feudal context.

Jian’s insistence on historical accuracy and academic professionalism eventually brought him into conflict with the radicalized politics of the . He famously opposed the "Maoist view of history" that emphasized ideological purity over factual evidence, a stance that led to his public condemnation and premature death in 1968.