Warlord Politics in China, 1916-1928

by Hsi-Sheng Chi

作者引出“军阀主义”的概念，并沿用C.M.威尔伯关于“军阀主义”是“一种有组织的政治体系，其中武力通常是权力分配和制定政策的决定因素”的定义。这样，军阀政治统治时期的社会关系，以及由这种关系所形成的政治系统，就成为作者主要关注的对象了。换言之，对个别具体的军阀的政治行为进行描述，并不是（或并不仅仅是）本书的研究要旨，而是通过“角色”的分类，然后加以系统分析的方式，从而凸显历史描述与政治分析的最佳结合点。用作者自己的话说就是，本书的研究路径是“避免对角色作出评价”，而重点在于对体制进行分析。

第一章作者提出了自己的方法论框架，论证其理论体系的依据；第二章从历史实证的角度，简单叙述了中国军阀派系的起源；第三章至第七章从关系、兵源、训练、武器及其经济等诸多侧面，对中国军阀政治系统的各项要素作出了较详细的分类研究；第八章则在上述各章的基础之上，简要概括出军阀政治行为的基本准则；最后，在第九章中，作者又运用国际政治理论的“权力均势”范式，试图从中进一步抽象出中国军阀政治发展的一般性历史模式。很显然，作者对全书的这种总体安排是经过深思熟虑的，它已初步构成了别具一格的分析框架和认识格局。正如美国政治学者G.吉勒卡评价的那样：“这是一本特别有价值的书，该书引用了几乎所有的中文和英文的第二手资料，同时也引用了大量的第一手资料，

Genres: China, History, Politics

282 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1976

Reviews

[Kelvin Hawkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read. I didnt get any of it. But this is my fault for not being more knowledgable on this topic. And as i have to bring it back to the library soon I am unable to give this book the dedication it deserves. But simply switching the word warlord to militarist shows everything you need to know on this volume. I will spend the last two werks i have trying to reread it and understand what i couldnt before. One last thing, has to be said, Wade-Giles romanisation was made by satan himself

[Al Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book although published in 1976, is more informative than volumes of books on China published since. Chi has delved into a mostly unknown but vastly influential period in China he terms the "Warlordism" period that shaped modern China more than many scholars like to admit. It is into this cauldron of chaos and violence that nations set about for a second round of concessions, but weakened from WWI, the European powers were eclipsed by the Japanese in gaining advantage, and in so doing, set the stage for a shift that eventually led to the conflict shaping of WWII in Asia and the subsequent politics echoed even today.

Detailed to a great degree Chi has provided an excellent reference for serious historical researchers as well as those just wishing to know more about China and Asia. Relatively free from modern political injection into historical works, Warlord Politics in China 1916-1928 is a refreshing historical book that is both a joy to read and fascinating with each pages revelations.