A Study On Li Dazhao's Political Philosophy Prior To May 4^th In 1919

Under the guidance of Marxism, this paper studies Li Dazhao's early political philosophy, systematically explores its philosophical sources, analyses its political philosophy and elucidates its ideological influence. With the help of rationalism implied in evolution and the"people's cardinal principle"theory, he reveals the inherent relationship among the feudal autocratic monarchy, the authoritarian values and Confucian dogmatism. In addition, he criticizes the tradition that impedes historical progress and social change. He also uses historical materialism to criticize the thoughts of respecting Confucianism and restoring ancient ways and explain why the Chinese intellectual changes economically. Through the studies of"people's cardinal principle"theory, human rights and constitutional thoughts in Li Dazhao's early political philosophy, the author tries to make a general description of their characteristics so as to confirm the conclusion that the political philosophy is the basis and core of his whole academic ideology, thus deepening and enhancing the research on Li Dazhao'political philosophy.Firstly, based on"people's cardinal principle"theory put forward by Li Dazhao, this paper analyzes his political philosophy connotation of the"people's cardinal principle"theory, which is the core concept of Li Dazhao's political philosophy. Meanwhile, this paper also describes his achievements in criticizing China's traditional politics and his desire that"people's cardinal principle"theory would become true in china as well as the value of the"people's cardinal principle"theory in history.Secondly, according to Li Dazhao's early thoughts of human rights, this paper expounds that Li Dazhao's political philosophy thoughts based on the background and main contents of his thought of human rights which include three points:"Popular sovereignty"principle, the freedom of thoughts and expressions and personal liberation.Thirdly, in the light of Li Dazhao's e early constitutional thought, this paper investigates the main content of Li Dazhao's constitutional thought in his early stage and explores why they exist and change through analyzing his populist ideology and his famous conclusion that constitutional politics should be based on freedom,thus further probing Li Dazhao'thoughts of political philosophy.Last but not least, in special historical condition of modern China, when Li Dazhao's revolutionary democratic ideas come into full play and reach quite a high level, he also initially contacts a certain degree of socialist thoughts.Therefore, researches on Li Dazhao's political philosophy don't only help us to further understand political philosophy of modern China and the relationship between it and traditional philosophy and western philosophy but also has a very important and invaluable influence on rebuilding of modern philosophy and further understanding of historical progress of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics.