Government in Republican China

A historical account written in the late 1930s. The work delves into the complexities of Chinese politics and governance during the Republican era, particularly from the collapse of the Qing dynasty to the late 1940s. It seeks to examine how China, amid civil strife and foreign pressures, transitioned from imperial rule to republican governance while grappling with the challenges of modernization, identity, and ideology. The opening of the book sets the stage for an exploration of China's struggle against Japanese invasion and the internal dynamics that influenced its republican government formed by the Kuomintang. Linebarger introduces the historical significance of Confucian thought as a stabilizing force in China and contrasts it with the sweeping changes brought on by Western influences and modern nationalist movements. The foreword emphasizes the importance of understanding the ideological underpinnings of governance during this tumultuous period and hints at the significant role of key figures like Sun Yat-sen in shaping the strategies for a unified national identity and effective government amidst chaos.