근대중국의 ‘제국’담론 고찰― 강유위, 양계초를 중심으로

Abstract

Modern China was facing the most serious crisis in its history. Since Opium Wars, the invasion of Western Powers had threatened the identity of ‘China’ and requested the fundamental changeover of the imperial regime that had continued for 2000 years. The challenge for the intellectuals in modern China was how they could preserve ‘China’ from external threats, which naturally led to the discussion on the change of the political system. This study will look into the discourse on ‘Empire’, centering on Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao who are recognized as leading thinkers of China in transition. The discussion related with the construction of ‘a nation state’contained the thought that China should change into a modern ‘Empire’, the characteristics of which were definitely revealed in Liang Qichao's manifesto, New People(Xin Min Shuo, 新民說). At the same time,the lively debate on the ideal political structure was proceeding around the Idea of Datong(大同思想),which was represented by Kang Youwei. While Kang and Liang had the mentor/mentee relationship, they showed significant differences in political philosophies associated with the construction of a new state. Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao's Ideas are at the core of Chinese modern political philosophies, and their discussion exercised far-reaching influence not only over academic field but also over political and social fields. This study will review the idea of ‘Political Unity (da yitong 大一統)’ which ideologically supported the system of ‘Empire’, and ‘Gongyang theory of the Three Ages(三世說)’, suggested as the basis of ‘Renewal and Reform(Bianfa, 變法)’. This process will enable us to understand Discourse on ‘Empire’ of China at the turning point, and to identify the features of Chinese present political system.