Source: Sun Yat-sen, leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang), *The Three Principles of the People*, 1924
"The Principle of Livelihood is socialism; it is communism; it is Utopianism. But we must analyze the social problems of the West. The Industrial Revolution in Europe and America brought about a sudden increase in the productive power of mankind, but it also created a wide gulf between the rich and the poor, leading to intense class struggle. Karl Marx sought to resolve these conflicts through class warfare and the overthrow of the capitalist state. However, China’s primary economic problem is not unequal wealth but general poverty. Since we do not yet have a highly developed capitalist class, we can prevent the evils of Western industrial capitalism before they take root. We must do this by regulating capital, nationalizing key transport and utility industries, and equalizing land ownership, thereby allowing the state to guide industrialization for the welfare of all citizens."
Which of the following best describes how Sun Yat-sen’s proposed approach to industrialization, as expressed in the passage, differs from the revolutionary communist perspective of Karl Marx?
- ASun believed that class conflict could be avoided by returning to a decentralized, feudal guild system, while Marx argued that feudalism was a necessary precursor to modern industrial capitalism.
- Sun advocated for state-directed reforms and the regulation of private capital to prevent class conflict, whereas Marx argued that capitalism could only be dismantled through a proletarian revolution.Answer
- CSun argued that China should restrict industrial development to agricultural machinery, while Marx argued that industrialization must focus primarily on chemical and electrical production.
- DSun argued that China could achieve a classless society by implementing progressive income taxes and labor laws, while Marx argued that these legislative reforms were the final stage of communism.