On Chen Fuliang’s Political Thought

The study of Chen Fuliang in the past scholarship pays main attention to Chen’s political thought about institutions and achievements. Based on the analysis of Chen’s political practice and intellectual roots, this paper emphasizes that there are two important themes in Chen’s discourse focusing on the relationship between Dao and institutions, the ancient and the contemporary . Chen tries to interpret the foundation of Song Dynasty in the light of the ideal political spirit and set a good political tradition for his time, and his aim is in essence to reform the problems caused by the over-centralization and despotism in the Song regime.