Thinking at the edge

Author: Liang Zhiping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: Since its establishment, Southwest University of Political Science and Law has weathered 50 years of challenges. Despite the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, which led to its closure for nearly a decade, the university has educated over 100,000 students. The spirit of Mount Gelaohshan nurtures integrity, while the Jialing River fosters a humanistic ethos. Today, 100,000 graduates are contributing to the construction of China's legal system, forming a prominent group of legal professionals in the field. Southwest University of Political Science and Law has shaped its unique character and spirit in legal education and research. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Beijing Alumni Association of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, in collaboration with Law Press, has launched the "Academic Works of Southwest University of Political Science and Law," a tribute to our alma mater's golden jubilee. This collection celebrates the achievements of this pivotal center of legal education and research in China. We hope these 50 works will serve as stepping stones for future scholars in legal research and education, while also showcasing the traditions and spirit of Southwest University of Political Science and Law.
The character and spirit reflected in the university's educational process and students' writings and actions is first and foremost a strong sense of vigilance. Vigilance is an enduring tradition of Chinese intellectuals. As Zeng Can said, "A scholar must be resolute and steadfast, for the burden is great and the journey long. To take benevolence as one's own duty is not heavy enough? To die without rest is not distant enough?" Zeng Can's words epitomize the profound sense of vigilance and responsibility shared by Chinese intellectuals. However, since the introduction of Western academic and educational systems, intellectuals have specialized in different fields, creating tension between their professional pursuits and their commitment to serving the nation. For legal professionals, a new profession in the history of this country, they are inevitably faced with more hardships in modern China compared to those in other fields.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, legal education quickly fell under suppression. In fact, the establishment of institutions like Southwest University of Political Science and Law in the early 1950s was less a milestone in legal education development and more a measure to restrict it. Each institution was formed by merging several law departments from comprehensive universities, significantly reducing the overall scale of legal education in China. More importantly, the content and objectives of legal education implied by concepts like "political and legal studies" broke with existing traditions. As a result, both teachers and students in these institutions were initially in a state of repression. The mainstream discourse on legal education at the time completely rejected the rule of law. By the 1960s, this rejection intensified, leading to the complete halt of legal education. Teachers were sent to labor, and schools were disbanded. In such circumstances, the vigilance of legal intellectuals was deeply rooted and inescapable.
After the Cultural Revolution, legal education was restored, and the rule of law gradually gained prominence. However, the vast gap between theoretical legal principles and practical realities continued to cause immense pain for legal professionals. Despite being located in the, somewhat "far from the center of power," this heightened sense of vigilance, exacerbated by the of their profession, has not waned even slightly. In fact, the distance from the political center may have reinforced it. In legal education and legal research, this sense of vigilance, combined with rationality and openness, has fostered a culture of intellectual curiosity, equal discussion, and academic integrity among Southwest legal scholars. Especially in the early years after its revival, the campus was a hub of intellectual ferment, with academic bulletin boards expressing bold ideas and innovative theories. Some arguments or conclusions, read today, may seem naive, but in the context of the time, they were groundbreaking.
It was this campus atmosphere that nurtured the invaluable spirit of skepticism and critique among Southwest legal scholars. Skepticism and critique are not emotional outbursts but rational arguments grounded in extensive and profound knowledge. Initially, the goal of establishing specialized political and legal institutions was to train technicians or craftsmen in law. Without the broad perspective of a comprehensive university, the knowledge of students and teachers would inevitably be limited, stifling the development of critical thinking. However, the uniqueness of Southwest legal scholars lies in their awareness of the limitations of this educational system and their relentless efforts to transcend it. The dedication to reading in the library, the deep reflections on Mount Yanyin, and the passionate debates in dormitory discussions all demonstrate the intellectual pursuit of students and teachers at this somewhat specialized university.
This pursuit is reflected in the diverse achievements of our graduates. Beyond those who excel in legal education and research, many alumni have entered politics or pursued careers outside law, excelling in various fields. Some have even become playwrights, travel writers, poets, or philosophers. As our alma mater continues to evolve into a comprehensive university, we believe our graduates will further embody this diversity, making even greater contributions.
For a person, 50 years is the age of "knowing one's destiny." But for a university, 50 years is merely a young sapling in the forest of world academia. Although our alma mater has forged a unique spirit and tradition and achieved remarkable success in talent cultivation, we must continue to strive to build a great university. As alumni, while celebrating this milestone, we also extend our heartfelt blessings to our alma mater. May its fine traditions continue to flourish, may its campus always be filled with the fragrance of scholars, and may its alumni continue to produce outstanding talents, elevating the university's status while contributing even more to the great cause of China's rule of law.
A distant and esteemed institution, nestled in the Sichuan mountains.
Diligently upholding the way, it is we, the students.