The Study On The New Autocracy Thought Of Jiang Tingfu During The Period Of Independent Review

After the "September 18" incident,the national contradiction between China and Japan was the main contradiction at that time.At the moment of peril,the social elite from all ranks was exploring the path of national salvation.At that time,the intellectual elite was determined to serve the country from pen and ink,so the publication "Independent Review" came into being on May 22,1932.Jiang Tingfu and Hu Shi served as editor.Focusing on historical issues,the publication intervened in real politics by the historical theory.Expressing its views on the domestic situation,the publication expressed the intellectuals’ love of the country."Independent Review",which has been published 244 issues and lasted between "September 18" and "July 7",ended on July 18,1937.After the "Fujian Incident",as a key member and important writer to the Independent Review,Jiang Tingfu took the lead on how to deal with China’s current difficulties.In the publication,Jiang Tingfu put forward the famous theory of the "new" autocratic thought,which attracted Hu Shi’s counterattack,triggering a well-known debate.Taking Jiang Tingfu’s remarks,social background,content of debate and international trend as the research object,this paper analyzes the reasons why the elite who grew up in the western education and the western culture advocated the despotism.Elaborating his connotation of "new" autocratic thought despotism,this paper analyzes the influence of all kinds of factors.The main contents of this paper are as follows:The first section discusses the international and domestic situation in the period of "Independent Review".At that time,in the face of crisis,governments had intervened in the economy,so nearly two-thirds of the European countries to establish a dictatorship.Italy’s fascist practice has achieved some remarkable results,and thus attracted widespread attention of all political figures,Roosevelt had sent someone to Rome to "study" and "learn".Under the Nazi regime Germany created a miracle of economic recovery,and had re-emerged as a European power.Just a few years,through the strengthening of the president’s power,creating a strong central government and launching Roosevelt New Deal,the United States achieved economic recovery and restored national confidence in the national system.Compared with other countries,China faced a more serious crisis: warlords,economic collapse,invasion of foreign enemies and so on.The second part elaborates the main content of Jiang Tingfu’s "new" autocratic thought and shows the contents of the debate around despotism.There are three major aspects about Jiang Tingfu’s "new" autocratic thought.The first is the idea of opposing revolution.The second is to establish a new autocratic country.Third is to establish personal despotism.After Qing government was overthrown,that all kinds of revolution could not solve the problem,In Jiang Tingfu’s idea,first is to use a personal "tyranny" to eliminate "small despotism",second that is easier to unify China by individual tyranny,finally,the "new" autocracy can be successful.There are three major aspects about the debate.First is to analyze the causes of the debate.The second is to elaborate Hu Shi and other anti authoritarian ideas.The third is to expound the proposition of Jiang Tingfu and other autocracy.Facing the chaotic situation of China,the authoritarian believed that China’s top priority was to achieve unity.Through the "new" autocracy,they could achieve national rejuvenation,and then personal happiness.Democrats believed that democracy could save China.First of all through a democratic construction of a country,then a personal freedom,they could achieve national rejuvenation and personal happiness finally.The purpose of both sides was the same: the establishment of a personal happiness of the country.Differences were just ways to save the country.The third section studies the reasons why Jiang Tingfu advocated "new" autocratic thought.The first is the real crisis,the second is the influence of fascism and the thought of centralization.the third is the influence of "Practical Application" in Huxiang Culture.The fourth part tries to appraise Jiang Tingfu ’s "new" autocratic thought.First of all,Jiang Tingfu’s "new" autocratic thought has its own value,but there are many limitations.