Dialogues on Democratic Enlightenment: Correspondence between Xu Liangying and Li Shenzhi
Dialogues on Democratic Enlightenment: Correspondence between Xu Liangying and Li Shenzhi
Xu Liangying , Li Shenzhi
Out of stock
Couldn't load pickup availability
ISBN
ISBN
share
书籍简介
Published with honor by Yijia Publishing
Two enlightened pioneers
1800 days of candid communication
A brilliant clash of two wise minds
Xu Liangying, historian of science, researcher at the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, democratic thinker, and social activist.Li Shenzhi, former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and founding director of the American Studies Institute, hailed as "a leading figure in Chinese liberalism in the 20th century."
Both gentlemen were labeled as "rightists." After self-enlightenment, they both became staunch liberals. In February 1998, Li Shenzhi wrote to Xu Liangying, asking for his comments on an article. Xu Liangying quickly replied. Thus began a five-year correspondence between the two elderly men who had never met, engaging in a profound dialogue about China's future, until it was interrupted in March 2003 by Li's sudden passing.In their correspondence, the two elderly men shared their personal journeys of breaking with the past and becoming advocates for democracy and freedom. They firmly believed that only through re-enlightenment, especially the self-enlightenment of intellectuals, could China achieve true democracy and modernization. They looked back at the past and examined the present, discussing various topics such as the true meaning and conditions of democracy, China's authoritarian tradition, the role of intellectuals, the relationship between scientific spirit and democratic freedom, modernization, and globalization. They also candidly shared their critiques of extreme nationalism and neo-leftist thought. Their reflections, even today, remain incisive and often thought-provoking.
This book is not only a record of the intellectual journeys of Chinese intellectuals at the end of the 20th century but also a precious legacy of social change and cultural reflection. For any reader concerned about China's future, this book is undoubtedly a rare intellectual feast.
出版日期/Publication Date：
出版社/Publisher：1 Plus Books
出品方/Imprint:
页数/Page: 288