This book offers a compelling exploration of the modern transformation of traditional Chinese political thought. Through a comparative lens, it examines how ancient concepts, such as the people’s principle, rule of law, and freedom, interact with and diverge from their modern counterparts. The author looks into the ideological resources embedded in classical Chinese political philosophy, asking how these ideas can inform contemporary political life and values.
By addressing key questions, such as the differences between ancient and modern understandings of freedom and law, and the role of intellectuals in shaping political discourse, the book provides a rich, critical framework for rethinking the relevance of tradition in modernity. It also reflects on the theoretical misinterpretations that have emerged during this transformation.
This book is ideal for university students seeking to understand the evolution of Chinese political thought, as well as scholars engaged in political theory, philosophy, and intellectual history.

Xiaochun Sun, Chair Professor of Jilin University, Professor of Nankai University School of Government, has a master's degree in history and a doctorate in philosophy. He is mainly engaged in research on political philosophy and the history of Chinese political thought. He is the chief expert of the major project of the National Social Science Foundation, “A General History of Chinese Political and Ethical Thought”. He focuses on the analysis of the basic features of traditional Chinese political thought and its internal logic, advocates the understanding of traditional Chinese political thought from the perspective of the comparison of Chinese and Western political thought, and evaluates the value and significance of traditional Chinese thought by modern poets' standards on the basis of accurate textual analyses. He has participated in the preparation of several textbooks on the History of Chinese Political Thought, and is the author of A Historical Essay on Traditional Chinese Political Philosophy.