What were Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles of the People?

Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People were nationalism, democracy, and the livelihood of the people.

Sun Yat-sen, often hailed as the 'Father of Modern China', proposed the Three Principles of the People, also known as San Min Chu I, as a part of his political philosophy. These principles were intended to serve as a guide for the establishment and development of a free, prosperous, and powerful nation.

The first principle, nationalism, was a call for the overthrow of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and the end of foreign imperialism in China. Sun Yat-sen believed that the Chinese people should have the right to self-determination and sovereignty. He argued that the Chinese nation needed to foster a sense of unity and shared identity to resist foreign domination and internal division.

The second principle, democracy, was Sun's response to the autocratic rule that had dominated China for centuries. He advocated for a republican government and the establishment of civil liberties. Sun Yat-sen proposed a five-branch government, inspired by the American and French political systems, to ensure a balance of power. This principle was about giving the Chinese people a voice in their government and ensuring that power was not concentrated in the hands of a few.

The third principle, the livelihood of the people, was Sun's economic policy. He believed in the equitable distribution of wealth and land. Sun Yat-sen proposed land reforms and the development of state-run industries to ensure that all Chinese citizens could enjoy a decent standard of living. This principle was about creating a society where everyone could benefit from the nation's economic growth.

In essence, Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People were a blueprint for a modern, democratic, and socially just China. They continue to be influential in shaping the political discourse in China and Taiwan today.