Constitutionalism, Rationality, and History: The Scholarship and Thought of Hsiao Kung-ch'uan: Collection II of the Studies in Political and Legal Thought

Author: Zhang Yunqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Xiao Gongquan (1897-1981) was a renowned political scientist of the 20th century, celebrated both in China and abroad. He taught at universities in the United States and China and served as a member of the Academia Sinica during the Republican era. During his early years in the U.S., he specialized in political philosophy, earning his doctorate with The Theory of Political Pluralism. Afterward, he dedicated himself to research and teaching, instructing in courses such as political science, legal philosophy, the history of Chinese and Western political thought, and the political institutions of China. Meanwhile, he authored numerous works in both Chinese and English, including A History of Chinese Political Thought, Collected Writings of Ji Yuan, Constitutionalism and Democracy, The Theory and Practice of Freedom, The Chinese Countryside, and Modern China and the New World. These works primarily focus on modern Western political theory, Chinese and Western political thought, and the political structures of traditional Chinese society. They broadly address issues such as the relationship between political pluralism and political monism, constitutionalism and democracy, the connection between nationalism and cosmopolitanism, modernization, debates over Chinese and Western cultures, as well as conservatism, liberalism, and utopian thought. The depth and precision of Xiao Gongquan's academic thought, the meticulousness and rigor of his writing, his diligent excavation of historical sources, and his incisive analysis are rare in the history of modern Chinese academic thought. By integrating the essence of Chinese and Western scholarship, he gained the respect and acclaim of scholars in both the East and the West with his creative insights and pioneering historical perspective. This book will systematically examine his academic achievements, delve into the origins of his problem awareness, and explore the characteristics and significance of his thought.