The Three Principles of the People (San Min Chu I)
Delivered as a series of lectures in Guangzhou in 1924, Dr. Sun Yat-sen formulated his political philosophy—Nationalism, Democracy, and Livelihood—as the foundation for modern China.
Full Transcript
Gentlemen: Today I begin a series of lectures on the Three Principles of the People—Minzu (Nationalism), Minquan (Democracy), and Minsheng (Livelihood or Welfare). These are the principles for our national salvation.
What is Nationalism? It is the spirit that binds a people together to defend their independence against foreign domination and imperialist exploitation. China for a century has been treated as a semi-colony because our national consciousness lay dormant.
What is Democracy? It is the power of the people in state administration. Democracy is the main current in the world today. If we go along with it we shall prosper; if we go against it we shall perish. We must establish a constitutional government where the people hold the four powers of election, recall, initiative, and referendum.
What is Livelihood? It is the economic well-being of the four hundred million citizens of China, ensuring equal rights to land ownership and industrial regulation so that poverty is banished.
If we unite under these three principles, China will stand as a prosperous, independent, and free republic among the nations of the world.
Defining Key Excerpts
"The Three Principles of the People are the principles for our national salvation."
"Democracy is the main current in the world today. If we go along with it we shall prosper; if we go against it we shall perish."
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