Document Type
Article
Abstract
This article attempts to explore the relevance of the public sphere, conceptualized by Jürgen Habermas, in the Chinese context. The author focuses on the case of Learning Light (Xuedeng), one of the most reputable fukans, or newspaper supplements, of the May Fourth era (1915–1926), arguing that fukan served a very Habermasian function, in terms of its independence from power intervention and its inclusiveness of incorporating voices across political and social strata. Through examining the leadership of Zhang Dongsun, editor in chief of Learning Light, as well as the public opinions published in this fukan, the author also discovers that, in constructing China’s public sphere, both the left and moderate intellectuals of the May Fourth era used conscious effort and shared the same moral courage, although their roles were quite different: The left was more prominent as passionate and idealist spiritual leaders shining in the center of the historic stage, whereas in comparison, the moderates acted as pragmatic and rational organizers, ensuring a benevolent environment for the stage.
Recommended Citation
Gao, Nuan
(2017)
"Building Fukan as a Chinese Public Sphere: Zhang Dongsun and Learning Light,"
Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences: Vol. 20
:
Iss.
1
, Article 6.
Retrieved from:
https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/jiass/vol20/iss1/6