The 3 Principles of the People:
The Three Principles, developed by Sun Yat-sen, is part of a philosophy to ensure China’s, freedom, power and prosperity. His ideological basis of nationalism is portrayed through three words, “Minzu, Minquan, and Minsheng.” These principles set the basis of Chinas new republic and policies.
Minzu: The Principle Minzu literally means “nationalism”. Sun Yat-sen believed China demands unification in order to unite the many ethnicities in China. These ethnicities are mainly composed of the Han, Mongols, Tibetans, Manchus and Muslims, as symbolized on the Five Color Flag of the First Republic. Sun Yat-sen struggled to unite the ethnicities along with the difference in belief, in communism and nationalism. Sun Yat-sen strived to unite China through purpose, religion, livelihood and customs.
Minquan: Minquan translates to “democracy”, or “the power of the people”. Sun Yat-sen tried to encorporate western political systems and traditional values into a Chinese democracy. He believed that the power of government are the powers of administration. His strive for political modernization guided his expansion on the theory of a three branch government and the system of checks and balances by incorporating traditional Chinese administrative tradition to create a government of five branches.
Minsheng: Usually translated to “socialism” or “the peoples welfare/livelihood”, the concept of Minsheng is still questioned. As Sun Yat-sen died before he was able to fully explain this principle, Nationalists and Communists debate the meaning of Minsheng. Historians believe now that Sun Yat-Sen supported socialism but was incapable of explaining his true belief of Minsheng.
Section Activity:
Create your own three principles and explain how you believe society would benefit from your principles.
Minzu: The Principle Minzu literally means “nationalism”. Sun Yat-sen believed China demands unification in order to unite the many ethnicities in China. These ethnicities are mainly composed of the Han, Mongols, Tibetans, Manchus and Muslims, as symbolized on the Five Color Flag of the First Republic. Sun Yat-sen struggled to unite the ethnicities along with the difference in belief, in communism and nationalism. Sun Yat-sen strived to unite China through purpose, religion, livelihood and customs.
Minquan: Minquan translates to “democracy”, or “the power of the people”. Sun Yat-sen tried to encorporate western political systems and traditional values into a Chinese democracy. He believed that the power of government are the powers of administration. His strive for political modernization guided his expansion on the theory of a three branch government and the system of checks and balances by incorporating traditional Chinese administrative tradition to create a government of five branches.
Minsheng: Usually translated to “socialism” or “the peoples welfare/livelihood”, the concept of Minsheng is still questioned. As Sun Yat-sen died before he was able to fully explain this principle, Nationalists and Communists debate the meaning of Minsheng. Historians believe now that Sun Yat-Sen supported socialism but was incapable of explaining his true belief of Minsheng.
Section Activity:
Create your own three principles and explain how you believe society would benefit from your principles.