Question

What were Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles?

Answer 1

SunYat-sen (1866-1925) is regarded as the founder of Modern China. In order to modernise China he started a programme which he called the Three Principles. In his book Fundamentals of National Reconstruction, SunYat-sen gives an account of the following principles:

1) Nationalism: The principle of Nationalism emphasised the independence of China and upholding the indigenous civilisation on the world stage.

2) Democracy: The principle of Democracy can be understood from what Sun Yat-sen writes in his book, “ All through my revolutionary career I have held the view that China must be made a republic...If a republican government is adopted, there will be no contention. A constitution must be adopted to ensure good government."

3) Socialism: SunYat-sen writes that socialism is the only way to end all economic disparities prevalent in the Chinese society. Equalising landholding and capital will be important instruments to achieve a society based on equal distribution of wealth.