After the Republic

Author: Gu Su
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This collection includes papers and political essays by the author published or written recently in recent years, focusing on political and legal philosophy. The discussions revolve around contemporary hot issues such as democracy, the rule of law, civil rights, and the conscience of humanistic intellectuals, connecting them with the realities of China. To explore the attitudes and methodologies of fundamental theoretical research, several essays are dedicated to discussing the basic attitudes of contemporary philosophical research, the spirit of scientific rationality, academic neutrality, and adherence to norms. These topics are interconnected, involving an understanding of fundamental political and legal concepts, principles, and the core ideas of reform. The writing of these essays stems from an inner impulse of social responsibility, and some chapters have sparked significant social responses after publication, which can be considered the author's greatest reward for his thoughts and efforts.
Contemporary political and legal philosophy has become a focal point and hot topic in China's intellectual and theoretical circles. This is because the development of social reality and the deepening of reform have posed urgent and arduous tasks for political system reform, thereby intensifying the demands on theoretical research itself. The novelty of the task requires us to first organize, analyze, and discern the existing achievements of Western political and legal philosophy, and then conduct innovative research in light of China's realities, proposing reform theories and plans that suit the existing socio-cultural characteristics.
The author admires a straightforward, sharp, and incisive academic style and writing approach, and has always strived to discuss issues in a clear and realistic manner. In recent years, he has attempted to go beyond simply introducing Western political and legal philosophy, making efforts to innovate theoretically by combining East Asian culture and China's realities through critical analysis. Occasionally, he has also written popular political essays and (lit. "essays" or "sketches"), with the subjective intention of contributing to China's comprehensive reform and development. Thus, these immature writings serve as a small (lit. "account" or "explanation") to the readers.