The Emergence of Constitutional Government in China (1905-1908) - The Concept Sanctioned by the Empress Dowager Tz'u-Hsi

The purpose of this study is to describe and to analyze the steps taken by the Ch'ing government before the convening of the provincial assemblies in 1909 in order to gain insight into the court's own understanding of constitutional government. It tries to explain why the Ch'ing court decided to adopt a constitutional form of government and what the architects of the new order were aiming at.
In reviewing the beginnings of constitutional preparation the author discovered that the concept sanctioned by the Ch'ing court reflected the wish to preserve the Confucian tradition and the intention to keep the Dynasty in power.
In his opinion, the Ch'ing government tried to solve a host of problems in all earnestness; the reproach of insincerity seems invalid, the accusation of procrastination unfounded.

About the author

The author: Norbert Meienberger, born 1936 in Henau, Switzerland, studied history, sociology, and economic history. He obtained his Ph.D. 1964 at Zurich University. Subsequently he began with sinological studies. From 1970-1972 he was Research Fellow at the East Asian Research Center of Harward University, Mass., USA. From 1972-1974 he was First Secretary (Cultural Attaché) at the Swiss Embassy in Peking. Since fall 1974 he lectured at Zurich University and in 1975 he obtained the 'venia legendi' for «Chinese History» at the same University.

Product details

• Authors: Norbert Meienberger
• Publisher: Peter Lang
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.05.2016
• EAN: 9783261046208
• ISBN: 978-3-261-04620-8
• No. of pages: 115
• Weight: 200 g
• Series: Schweizer Asiatische Studien / Etudes asiatique suisse; Schweizer Asiatische Studien / Etudes asiatiques suisses. Monographien / monographes; Schweizer Asiatische Studien / Etudes asiatiques suisses. Monographien / monographes; Schweizer Asiatische Studien / Etudes asiatique suisse
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Social sciences, law, business > Political science