Publishing Journal ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 112-121.

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Cultural Salvation and Publishing Practices of Pre-War Shanghais White-Collar Youth: A Case Study of the Founding, Transformation, and Impact of Ant Monthly

  

  1. Department of Information Management, Peking University, Beijing, 100871
  • Received:2025-03-09 Revised:2025-07-01 Online:2026-07-13 Published:2026-07-14

Abstract: Ant Monthly19331936was a cultural salvation and publishing initiative undertaken by the Ant Society, a pre-war Shanghai white-collar youth organization. In terms of its founding background, white-collar youth, trapped in widespread frustration caused by economic hardship, political oppression and cultural deprivation, launched the journal as a form of cultural self-salvation. This effort built on the exploratory experience of The Youth Companion and the organizational foundation of the Ant Society. In terms of content evolution, Ant Monthly transitioned from focusing on individual awakening and prioritizing cultural construction to a shift toward political mobilization after 1936, reflecting the spread and grassroots implementation of Marxism. In comparison with contemporary publications, Ant Monthly distinguished itself through the bottom-up nature and practicality of its readership and contributor base, organizational operation and content characteristics, highlighting its unique value.

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