Intellectual Elites And Political Leaders

Intellectuals and political leaders are the two major groups of Chinese society.The relationship between them affects the development of the entire country to a certain extent.From the ancient scholars to the new modern intellectuals,their relationship with political leaders has changed dramatically.In the Republic of China,intellectuals changed the past tradition of scholar in feudal monarchs and participated in politics in an independent,free and unique manner.Fu Ssu-nien continued the traditional scholars’social responsibility such as "loyalty and patriotism " and "taking the world as his duty".With his own "charm",he succeeded in attracting the attention of Chiang Kai-shek.The relationship between Fu Ssu-nien and Chiang Kai-shek is an important embodiment of the relationship between intellectuals who are concerned about politics but do not join politics and political leaders.Their relationship and changes in their attitude toward each other reflect the complex political situation in the Republic of China.1928 was a watershed for Fu Ssu-nien and Chiang Kai-shek’s life.Before this,Fu Ssu-nien and Chiang Kai-shek’s family environment,the traditional culture education and new education received,and various experiences abroad have paved the way for their lives.In the turbulent social environment,they feel the same social and ethnic culture,experience the differences in social classes,and are eager to realize the freedom of personality and the unity of the country.It is these commonalities that allow them to attract each other in turbulent times.At the same time,because of their personality,their attitude towards each other is always erratic and often changes.Fu Ssu-nien and Chiang Kai-shek belonged to different social fields after 1928,and two people who seemed to have no connections gradually came together.The contact between Fu Ssu-nien and Chiang Kai-shek took a long time.After Fu Ssu-nien returned from Europe,he was helped and recommended by Cai Yuanpei,Chu Chia-hua and others,and began to have an intersection with the National Government.In the country’s distress situation,Fu Ssu-nien took advantage of his "scholars" expertise to advise the government and political leaders.In the "Xi’an Incident," he tried to rescue Chiang Kai-shek.After being formally associated with Chiang Kai-shek in 1937,he praised Chiang Kai-shek and thanked Chiang Kai-shek for his appreciation.Fu Ssu-nien always regards the Kuomintang as "orthodox." Therefore,he always maintains his loyalty for the regime he faces.This is also reflected in his attitude toward the leaders of the Kuomintang.He expressed his support for Chiang Kai-shek all the time.But support does not mean unconditional obedience.Fu Ssu-nien insisted on his own thoughts and practices on many issues.He put pressure on Chiang Kai-shek’s trial on Chen Du-xiu and criticized Chiang Kai-shek’s "ethical education movement" and expressed opposition to Chiang Kai-shek’s ambivalence and compromise on the issue of national peril.In spite of Chiang Kai-shek’s "face",he reported and cracked down on the corruption of Kung Hsiang-hsi and Soong Tse-ven.Although Chiang Kai-shek was dissatisfied with Fu Ssu-nien’s "persistence," he could do nothing but accept it silently.After 1945,Fu Ssu-nien visited Yan’an and ran for the Kuomintang;acted by Chiang Kai-shek as Principal of Peking University;accepting Chiang Kai-shek’s instructions and rushing to Yunnan to solve the Kunming student strike;and even under the command of Chiang Kai-shek,he established the "Rescue Scholar Program" and succeeded the president of the Taiwan University.Fu Ssu-nien had a closer relationship with Chiang Kai-shek after 1945.Helping and following him became a foregone conclusion.The relationship between intellectuals and political leaders is not simply maintained,but complex.In view of the influence of traditional scholars,modern intellectuals still have a sense of responsibility in the world,but they do not succumb to authority and have independent personality.The modern and contemporary political leaders are also different from the feudal monarchs.They pay more attention to democracy,accept refutation and criticism,and accept opinions and suggestions.