This paper examines the predicament of modem Chinese conservatism.I use the eminent historian Qian Mu(1895—1990)as an example to show that under the influence of modernity and in an effort to preserve tradition,a pro...This paper examines the predicament of modem Chinese conservatism.I use the eminent historian Qian Mu(1895—1990)as an example to show that under the influence of modernity and in an effort to preserve tradition,a prominent conservative like Qian needed to“modernize”Chinese tradition so that it could be saved.I will examine Qian’s reconstruction of Chinese history,which was not just a reiteration of China’s past,but a new type of understanding of Chinese tradition influenced by modem Western concepts.By focusing on Qian’s most prominent work,Guoshi dagang,we can get a sense of the struggle of modem Chinese conservatives as they tried to fend off the detractors of Chinese tradition.展开更多
文摘This paper examines the predicament of modem Chinese conservatism.I use the eminent historian Qian Mu(1895—1990)as an example to show that under the influence of modernity and in an effort to preserve tradition,a prominent conservative like Qian needed to“modernize”Chinese tradition so that it could be saved.I will examine Qian’s reconstruction of Chinese history,which was not just a reiteration of China’s past,but a new type of understanding of Chinese tradition influenced by modem Western concepts.By focusing on Qian’s most prominent work,Guoshi dagang,we can get a sense of the struggle of modem Chinese conservatives as they tried to fend off the detractors of Chinese tradition.
