Political Institutions and Responsibilities: Qian Mu and the Study of Chinese Political History
Resource
臺大歷史學報, 38, 105-158
Journal
臺大歷史學報
Journal Issue
38
Pages
105-158
Date Issued
2006-12
Date
2006-12
Author(s)
Abstract
Chinese scholars in modern times have almost uniformly come to the conclusion that the traditional politics in Imperial China was autocratic, and thus irrelevant to the ideas of modernity. Qian Mu (錢穆, 1895~1990) stands out as an important dissenting voice on this argument. His researches are distinguished also by his unique opinions about the study of political institutions, the scope of this field, its methodologies, and its significance. I summarize Qian Mu's ideas as follows. 1. Unlike the narrow model of describing political systems solely in terms of transitions of power, Qian Mu adopted the traditional approach set forth by the Tang historian Du Yo (杜佑, 735~812) in Tong Dian (《通典》, The Comprehensive Manual), of researching political institutions from the perspectives of the government and the ruled. Thus, he paid attention to economy, military service, and education. 2. To understand and evaluate traditional political systems, Qian Mu gave priority to what he called "historical opinions" (the ideas of the people of the time). He also described a "doctrine of political responsibility" as a unique mode of Chinese politicians' thought. Although he intended to respect cultural subjectivity, he never opposed the use of either modern or western approaches. The problem he warned against rather was: to have a slavish reliance on western theories at the expense of an accurate understanding Chinese historical truth. 3. Qian Mu stressed the political interaction between philosophical ideals, such as Confucian, Legalist and Daoist, and the practical necessities of the real politics. In his view, therefore, it was usually various combinations of ideals and realities that caused changes of political institutions, Since these political necessities and issues continue to exist in modern China, modem officials and people would be wise to look upon the historical experience of their ancestors as a reference when facing and dealing with current practical problems. 4. Although modem democracy might help to solve China's current political crises, Qian Mu believed that any successful political system must be based upon social realities and cultural values. It is wildly misguided to believe that the pursuit and successful development of a new political system requires the complete abandonment of tradition, Qian argued, because new institutions and values invariably must be established on the basis of traditional culture.
Subjects
錢穆
制度
職分
專制
歷史意見
當事人觀點
政治思想
政治史方法論
Qian Mu錢穆
Imperial China
Absolutism
Autocracy
Political responsibility
Political institutions
Insider's Perspective
historicism
Cultural Subjectivity
SDGs
Type
journal article
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