Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

354 / ANARCHISM
100. HI/ang Lings/lUang: Writings on Evolutiol1, Freedom and Marxism
(1917-29)
Huang Lings/lLlang (1898- 1 982) was a member of the anarchist communist group started by
Shift/'s brother, Liu Shixill, in Guallgzl1Ou. He later helpedfoulld the first allarchist group ill
Beijing. lie was one of the earliest Chinese anarchist critics of Marxism following the Russian
Revolution. The first selection is Fom Huang LingsllLlang's "Declaration" to the inaugural isslIe
of the anarchist paper, Evolution, originally published in january 1917. The second seleel
ion is Fom the fo rward to Records of Freedom, the publication of the anarellisl Truth
Society in Beijing, originally published in july 1917. The third selection is from Huang
Lingslwang's "Critique of Marxism. "originally published in New Youth in May 1919. These
writings illustrate tile colltinuillg influence ofKropotkin among Chinese anarchists. TIle final
selection is ji'Oll1 Huang Lingslmang's Social Evolution (Shanglwi: World Books, 1929), in
whicll he distinguishes cultural evolution from biological and social evolution (a distinction
which was never clearly made by Kropotkill), alld criticizes concepts of universal stages of II istorical
development, consistellt with his earlier critique of Marxism. The translations are by
SIlL/ping Wan. associate professor of histo/y at Montgomery College (Department of History
and Political Science).
Declaration to Evolution (1917)
SOCIETY IS THE TOTALITY OF ORGANISMS. With every organism. from each according
to his capacity, to each according to his needs. seeking help from his grouP. the
human being should be able to spend less time to bring more happiness. Thus we can
understand that the way of the development of human society is through the development
of morals. This is the aim: to bring happiness to all human beings in the
world. Therefore, in discussions of social evolution the question is what kind of system
best suits society. and how can we increase the amount of human happiness and
improve its quality ... Modern anarchism means to demonstrate this truth. Now that
the truth is clarified, it is time fo r us to start a revolution and realize the aim ofthis
truth. What does revolution mean The (Chinese) term "geming" is called "revolution"
in the Western language. "Re" means "geng" (more), and "evolution" means
"j inhua." If we combine "re" and "evolution," we get the term "revolution," which
simply means "more-evolution." However, the kind of revolution we advocate is
quite different from those superficial revolutions. For example, when the Entente triumphed
over Germany and Austria-Hungary, many people took it as the triumph of
justice over power. The kind of authoritarian power in our minds refers to more than
the militarism of Germany and Austria-Hungary and Nietzsche's "superman." In our
society everything that prevents the whole of humankind from realizing freedom and