The Concerto of "Seeing People" and "Seeing Affairs"——Path Divergence and Integrative Construction in the Modernization of Social Governance in China

People and affairs are the two fundamental elements of social governance,shaping distinct yet complementary paths of innovation.The people-centered approach targets diverse groups,including vulnerable populations,new employment sectors,and at-risk individuals,aiming to understand needs,improve livelihoods,mobilize participation,and strengthen social cohesion.The affairs-centered approach focuses on public services,conflict resolution,and social problems,emphasizing early detection,efficient action,and tangible results to address urgent concerns.While differing in priorities,tools,and evaluation criteria,both approaches are interconnected and mutually reinforcing.Their integration requires precise alignment of needs and problems,continuous embedding of services into relevant contexts,and deep cooperation in co-construction,co-governance,and benefit-sharing.Together,they form both a strategic lever and a methodological foundation for modernizing social governance,reflecting an objectivized logic and a turn toward everyday life with significant theoretical and practical implications.