Early Modern Imaginations of the Nation and Their Insights: An Examination Centered on Liang Qichao and Liang Shuming

Abstract

Chinese people have formed a rich vision of the “nation,” with Liang Qichao and Liang Shuming serving as representative figures, throughout the process of moving from “all under heaven” to “nation.” The two Liangs’ imaginations show different traits as well as consistency. The two Liangs’ modern national imaginations stand out for their interaction between “people” and “country” in terms of imaginative features. Regarding continuity, Liang Shuming’s rural building movement may be understood as the application of Liang Qichao’s theoretical vision. Nonetheless, the opposition faced by the rural building movement highlights the challenges this imagination has in attempting to come to pass. In light of the ‘national’ imagination and associated practices of early modern Chinese society, what becomes clear is that, against the backdrop of historical transitions, an idealistic national imagination can, in fact, serve as a conceptual basis for national construction as well as an uplifting and guiding force. However, the challenge and secret to creating a modern nation is understanding how to organize the “people” to forge a concrete bond with the “country.” Examining and considering these ideas and actual initiatives is still very significant for nation-building in the modern day.