1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910369921203321

Autore

Hwang Minhyuk

Titolo

Fukuzawa Yukichi’s Bourgeois Liberalism : The Betrayal of the East Asian Enlightenment / / by Minhyuk Hwang

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Palgrave Macmillan, , 2020

ISBN

3-030-21530-X

Edizione

[1st ed. 2020.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (185 pages)

Collana

Critical Political Theory and Radical Practice, , 2731-6599

Disciplina

320.51

320.092

Soggetti

Political science

Asia - Politics and government

Japan - History

World politics

Political Theory

Asian Politics

History of Japan

Political History

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di contenuto

1. Introduction -- 2. Social Background: Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Transformation of Japan -- 3. Learning to Reason: An Encouragement of Learning (Gakumon no susume) -- 4. Progress for National Autonomy: An Outline of a Theory of Civilization (Bunmeiron no gairyaku) -- 5. Existential Turn: Seeking National Recognition -- 6. Conclusion.

Sommario/riassunto

Fukuzawa Yukichi’s Bourgeois Liberalism introduces readers to the East Asian Enlightenment led by Fukuzawa Yukichi, one of the most important figures in the intellectual history of modern Japan. Despite his impact on political theory and modern Japanese history, Fukuzawa remains under-researched in Western academia, and while a few English-language books have been written about Fukuzawa, none have dealt with his political theory. This book describes Fukuzawa as a character with universal relevance and a unique view of the



Enlightenment tradition. Emphasizing the power of bourgeois liberalism and the debate regarding its potential for transforming the strict class-caste society of Tokugawa Japan, Hwang discusses Fukuzawa's belief in the significance of individual autonomy, progress, and liberal rule of law in developing his project of the East Asian enlightenment, as well as his supposed “betrayal” of his early commitments due to his existential desire for Western recognition of Japan’s greatness. The book ends with an analysis of the complex relation between liberalism and progress in the East Asian context. .