Thesis from 2012 in the field of Oriental Studies / Sinology - Chinese / China, grade: 1.5, Free University of Berlin (Sinology), course: History of China up to 1840, language: German.

Summary: The aim of this paper is to highlight and examine enlightened and anarchistic thought in pre-modern China, and to what extent Chinese history conforms to the general prejudice that there are no democratic traditions and liberal thinkers in China. I will not go into detail about the extensive representations of reformist movements, as the scope of this paper does not allow for it, but will present exemplary examples of my main themes of enlightenment and anarchism. Despite the legitimate criticism of Eurocentric paradigms, I will initially use the concept of enlightenment from Europe, which is central to my work.