Thinking about the Republic of China

The Republic of China (ROC) was the first state in Chinese history to be founded on the principle of popular sovereignty, and the first in Taiwanese history to effectively exercise sovereignty internationally in the name of the nation. With 1949 as the dividing point, the two phases of the ROC share both ideological continuity and the twists and turns of reality resulting from a century of complex cross-strait relations and ideological divergences.

"Thinking about the Republic of China" argues from the perspective of modern transformation, arguing that the Republic of China represents a synthesis of Chinese and Western models of modernization. This approach echoes the calls of Confucian scholars such as Wang Yangming, Huang Zongxi, and Wang Chuanshan, and, during the 19th and 20th centuries, integrated democratic institutional ideas brought by the influx of Western influence, resulting in the establishment of the first democratic system in Taiwan. The book also interprets the inherent developmental relationship between Taiwan and the Republic of China from the perspectives of "local geopolitics" and "intrinsic cross-strait relations." It not only inherits the spirit of contemporary Neo-Confucian manifestos but also reflects the perspective of citizens of the Republic of China based in Taiwan.

Recommendations

In an era when cross-strait issues are fraught with intense tension, posing the risk of war, it's rare to read such a unique perspective on the "Republic of China" and "Taiwan," one that defies the clichéd opposition between "unification" and "independence." Yang Rubin's position is unique, even paradoxical: he possesses an exceptionally rich scholarship, a heavy historical baggage, and a profound understanding of traditional Confucianism. Yet, it is precisely this, coupled with his in-depth exploration of contemporary Western philosophy, that allows him to transcend conventional approaches and approach this complex issue from a unique and novel perspective. —Halvor Eifring, Professor of Chinese at the University of Oslo, Norway

The debate between unification and independence seems to have become an irreconcilable issue in contemporary Taiwanese politics. The author of this book attempts to propose a solution, using the Republic of China as a method or concept. The author views the "Republic of China" as both a cultural and political discourse: "China" represents the cultural direction that inherits the Confucian tradition, and "Republic" represents the constitutional system that points to the future. This book can be seen as a sequel to the author's "1949 Praise" and should be read in conjunction with it by those who care about Taiwan's future. —Li Minghui (Researcher at the Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy, Academia Sinica)

The author understands the "Republic of China" as a non-essentialist, functional existence. Methodologically, the "essence emerges in time," akin to Heidegger's approach to "being-in-the-world." Content-wise, the discussion of character interactions and event connections demonstrates Amartya Sen's ingenious entanglement of historical narrative and cultural thought through "rich description." While the author jokingly admits to hearing only "a few cockcrows" in the face of the "inky river and sky," readers who can empathize with this feeling will recognize it as the faint call of a white horse in the empty valley. — Feng Yaoming (Professor, Department of Philosophy, Tunghai University, and Emeritus Professor, Division of Humanities, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

2023-07-06

聯經出版公司

544

9789570868937