Abstract: There were theoretical differences between the “Civil Rights Theory” of the Reform Clique and the Western “Natural Rights.” The Reform Clique did not elevate the “citizen” to the same height as the “individual” nor did they appeal to property rights. However, the reform clique made great efforts to transform the “masses” and in the late nineteenth century, they generated the mass education campaigns for the improvement of the citizenry. After the Reform Movement of 1898,“civil rights theory”evolved new characteristics. The concept of the citizen changed qualitatively and civil rights developed beyond the “right of discussing official business.” The clique accepted the Western ideal of democracy and promoted the principle that citizens must realize the meaning of emancipation themselves.

摘要： 维新派“民权学说”和西方“天赋人权”学说有理论差异。民权学说没有把“民”上升到“人”的高度，也没有提出财产要求。但维新派对改造民众做了巨大努力，酝酿了十九世纪末的民众教育和民众改造运动。戊戌后民权学说有了新特点：“民”的概念有了质变；民权不再是“议事之权”的狭小范围；接受了西方民主观念，使国民意识到自身解放的意义。