Time: October 25th , 2013
Topic: Re-think Hayek’s Theoretical Heritage
Lecturer: GAO Quanxi Commentators: HAN Zhaohua, FENG Xingyuan, MO Zhihong, LIU Yejin, ZHU Junsheng In this forum, with the analysis of Hayek’s theoretical heritage from a new angle, Professor GAO Quanxi pointed out that Hayek’s theory had played an important part in analyzing China’s reality, yet it still needed to be improved, based on the development of Chinese liberalism theory. Meanwhile, concerning the current situation, Professor GAO claimed that we should provide more sense of security to the society and open our minds. Commentator MO Zhihong agreed with Professor Gao’s evaluation of traditional liberal thought, and he indicated that we should be beyond the general understanding of liberalism, and that environment change could lead to the change of relation between Hayek’s theory and China. So it would gradually become common for people to rethink Hayek’s theory. Professor LIU Yejin analyzed in two conditions that freedom would become necessary. He thought that Hayek’s theory had possessed a general significance, and had offered us some suggestion in China’s reform from different levels. He also pointed out that Hayek’s theory was worthy of being studied repeatedly and being developed further. Commentator ZHU Junsheng emphasized the importance of rethinking Hayek’s theory currently, and also analyzed the problems at the present time. He pointed out that Hayek’s theory advocated to restrict the government by law, and to develop one’s mind and courage to take responsibility. Commentator HAN Zhaohua briefly analyzed the three parts of the report. He thought that the understanding of liberalism in China should be improved, that Professor GAO had overestimated the importance of Hayek’s theory, and that we should rethink the understanding of liberalism since the 1980s. Professor FENG Xingyuan firstly approved of Hayek’s theory, and explained the reason why Hayek’s thought could not become the mainstream. He didn’t think that Hayek’s theory was against nationalism, yet he admitted that Hayek’s theory was spread widely in China and some parts of Hayek’s theory needed to be modified. He pointed out the researching method on Hayek’s theory and its great significance. |
