Anarchism and the May Fourth New Culture (An Examination Centered Around the Associates of "New Youth")

Author: Meng Qingshu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Anarchism's sensitivity to individual freedom is closely linked to its acceptance of the Enlightenment's theory of human nature. Similarly, anarchism's skepticism towards the legitimacy of the state is partly derived from the theory of human nature. The May Fourth New Culture Movement liberated itself from the shadow of the statist culture that had developed unilaterally since the Han Dynasty. This traditional Chinese statist culture not only directly wielded political power but also primarily manifested itself as cultural power. It devoted far more energy to suppressing heterodox thought than to national affairs. The theoretical characteristics of anarchism enable it to play a more significant role in the cultural sphere than other political theories. Its thorough critique of all oppressive relationships, its relentless pursuit of Enlightenment values such as freedom, equality, and brotherhood, and its idealistic humanistic spirit make it inherently attractive to humanistic intellectuals.