Gathering Scholars to Defend the Country: The Institute of International Relations before 1975

Abstract

Throughout much of history, the Institute of International Relations (llR) has been perceived as a Kuomintang think tank. Based on the perspective generated by personal contributions before its formal establishment in 1975 as part of National Chengchi University, the author traces the llR`s foundation and key staff as far back as 1937 to argue that it was constructed during a national crisis because the state leader needed professional opinions that could be used strategically. Thus, rather than considering the llR as an organization subject to a political party, it should be regarded as an institution charged with gathering scholars to defend the country.