| Fukuzawa Yukichi (1834-1901) is a famous thinker, educator who is considered as the Japanese Voltaire in Japan during modern times. He was living in the time of change, explained the goal and meaning of national independence and initiated civilization to Japanese by writing, also asked for equal rights with western countries to achieve national rights. On the other hand, using the western"equal"—power is right—to other Asian countries, especially China and Korea, to expand the national rights, from East Asia Alliance Leader Theory to Abandoning Asia Idea, he was always supporting to start foreign wars actively.During all his life, he had emphasized throughout he never cared about politics and insisted being out of office, but his books and opinions were always closely related to politics. And also he could offer solutions when Japanese government was in dilemma. When Japan was self-independent hardly, and confusing how to modernize the country, he proposed National Rights Theory in order to realize national independence, and make it as his standard rule of action. That is the reason why his theories changed even were consistent in different periods.Fukuzawa Yukichi's National Rights Theory is not only fit for the requirements of the time, but also propel it forward. Japanese modernizing way designed by him, is also the process of realizing national rights. From achieving national rights to expanding national rights, recent Japan was developing as his design.This thesis will expound how Fukuzawa Yukichi's National Rights Theory engendered, structured and practiced by searching his main books or opinions of each period. Meanwhile, during this process how did he deal with domestic problems and external problems also their relationship. At the same time, discuss the characteristics and influences of his National Rights Theory by analyzing current events at that time. |
