重生与毁灭——辛亥百年对晚清改革的透视

Regeneration and Destruction——The perspective of the Revolution of Hundred Years on the Late Qing Reform

清政府在对待改革的态度上先是昧于世界大势,顽固不化,没有改革的主动意识;继而迫不得已改革,寄希望于学习西方的军事技术和兴办现代企业来挽救和维护专制统治;等到所有问题的解决都取决于政体改革的紧要关头,统治集团仍然不肯放弃专制权力,触动自身的权力和利益,在众叛亲离中轰然倒塌。

In the primary stage, Qing Government could not follow the general trends of the world and was stubborn at reform, without any consciousness to take initiatives. Subsequently they were forced to reform, hoping to save and secure their autocracy by learning western military technology and founding modern enterprises. Until the critical moment came when they realized that the solutions to all the problems depended on the reform of political system, the ruling party were still not willing to give up their autocratic power and their own rights and interests, thus leading to utter isolation and final destruction.