The Gap Between Thought and Era: A Study of Liu Xihong, a Late Qing Diplomat

Author: Zhang Yuquan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This book tells the political career of Liu Xihong, a Qing Dynasty diplomat, his transformation amidst the tides of the era, and provides insight into the society at the time. He was one of the first Qing Dynasty envoys abroad, with a far deeper understanding of Western culture than his contemporaries in China. Yet, he was also a staunch feudal guardian and a determined opponent of Western culture. The "Modern and Contemporary China: Politics and Society Transformation" academic research series is the final outcome of the "985" research project at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, focusing on the relationship between political and social changes in modern China.
Politics is a broad and complex concept. This project discusses politics in a broad sense, expanding the research scope to political thought, political systems, international environment, foreign relations in modern China, as well as important political figures and major political events. It combines politics with society to examine the relationship between politics and the economy, the impact of politics on education and talent cultivation, the role of politics in social stability and progress, and politics in foreign relations, particularly the political attitudes of some key figures and the social effects of their governance theories, policies, and methods. It aims to explore the interactive relationship between politics and society from multiple perspectives and levels using the theories and methods of political sociology, measuring and evaluating the correctness of political thought, advocacy, and the governance of political figures based on the stability, progress, development, and degree of civilization of society. This is a new attempt.