Abstract

This thesis examines the political reform method of Du Yaquan -Editor-in-chief of 『Eastern Miscellany(東方雜誌)』 in the 1910s-, during the period before and after the Xinhai Revolution. To analyze his thoughts on politics of that time, I focused on ‘Reducing Politics Policy(減政主義)’, a political methodology advocated by Du Yaquan himself. Before the Xinhai Revolution, Du yaquan viewed the Late Qing reforms had no practical effect. Although reform by Qing were focusing on institutional changes and adapting foreign politics. Du said that China needs is “Reducing Politics Policy” which is “consolidating and reducing government offices, reducing the number of officials, and reducing government affairs” as its core. Du thought that if the political reforms promoted by the Qing continued, it would lead to the “disappearance of politics,” which would then lead to a “collapsing of economy” since the vitality of society would be terminated. The important argument of the ‘Reducing Politics Policy’ was that, Chinese people must change the idea of government and politics being superior to society. And also the idea of government taking lead on society should be abandoned as well. Du claimed that ‘Reducing Politics Policy’, which opposes the quantitative increasement of politics, is “a new trend in various country’s society and an old experience of Chinese politics”. He also insisted that political development in the true sense should be achieved through this method. After the establishment of the Republic of China, Du''s perception and assertion of politics faced a new phase. He pointed out that it is urgent to solve the problems which existed since late Qing, such as ''the problem of centralization, excessive foreign debt, and financial disorder''. These situation lead him to emphasize the need for ''Reducing Politics Policy''. After the establishment of the Republic of China, Du added new obejective for ''Reducing Politics Policy'', which was to break down bureaucracy in China.

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