The Study On Administrative Modernization Of Sichuan Provincial Government(1935?1945)

The management technique of modem Chinese government experienced a shift from the traditional one to the western modem one.The Sichuan provincial government,after the political reunification in 1935,became the government with the most complete political system and the most abundance in resources.And its modernization is typical of all the transformations undertaken by all the local governments.In this period,the political centralization in Sichuan was gradually completed and military defence system by the warlord rule was eliminated at last with its modern administrative organization improved and its government functions expanded,institutionalizing the modem system of personnel management and financial administration as well as improving management technique.This thesis,therefore,will list the changes the Sichuan government made from 1935 to 1945,concerning "organization and functions","personnels and institution","text and reality" and "decision-making and restriction".In order to explore the arduous process of the modernization of government administration,its achievements and its restrictions,this thesis will focus on the particular matter and its cause during the performance of the government.The administrative modernization of Sichuan was pushed forward in the context of the administrative modernization of the central government and the political reunification of Sichuan province,aiming at a real "base area of national revitalization" from backward political division.By means of building internal organization and grass root administrative network,government control over society was strengthened and service function of a modem government took initial shape.Despite the establishment of standard personnel system and improvement of personnel quality as well as its administrative skills,interference of political interests and long standing practice from the old system remained strong.Although the financial regulations gradually became sound,excessive unproductive expenditure resulted in delayed local development.The separation of powers over financial and political affairs undermined the integrity of the financial regulations.Over mobilization overburdened the people and reduced economic achievements.Relocation and official document improvement enhanced government running efficiency.The different reactions to grain issue and land tax collection showed that with the development of administrative reform,the government running efficiency was enhanced.The enlightened administrative thought of provincial chairman,Mr.Zhang Qun and his constructive interaction with the interim council of Sichuan further smoothed the administrative modernization of Sichuan while finishing the task of reinforcing the anti-Japanese war.This thesis holds that modernization is the main aim of the administrative reform of Sichuan provincial government from 1935 to 1945,however,conflicts of political interests,heterogeneous administrative style,the absence of administrative supervision and special wartime institution as well as ruling model of "dominating ruling party" restricted and impeded the progress of the administrative modernization of Sichuan government.Meanwhile,the administrative modernization of Sichuan provincial government provided precious experience and trial chances for the administrative modernization of China as a whole;The Sichuan provincial govemment headed by Mr.Zhang Qun constructively interacted with organs of public opinion,leaving useful experimental practice to the government and society;backward institution building and undesirable economic performance failed to meet the social needs of mobilization in the anti-Japanese war,which aggravated public disappointment in the government,leading to loss of authoritative government resources and political instability.