Description
China is a rising economic and political power. But what is the message of this rise? Tongdong Bai addresses this increasingly pressing question by examining the rich history of political theories and practices from Chinas past, and showing how it impacts upon the present.
Chinese political traditions are often viewed negatively as authoritarian (in contrast with Western democratic traditions), but the historical reality is much more complex and there is a need to understand the political values shaping Chinas rise. Going beyond this, Bai argues that the debates between Chinas two main political theories - Confucianism and Legalism - anticipate themes in modern political thought and hence offer valuable resources for thinking about contemporary political problems.
Part of Zeds World Political Theories series, this groundbreaking work offers a remarkable insight into the political history and thought of a nation that is becoming increasingly powerful on the world stage.
Chapter
How Chinese philosophers express themselves
One | Modernity before its time: the historical context of ‘classical’ Chinese political thought
Similarities between China during the SAWS and Europe’s transition to modernity
Nature and problems of modernity
‘Classical’ Chinese political philosophy as modern philosophy
Two | The middle way of Confucianism: humanity as the new social glue
The need for a new social glue
The cultivation of humanity: expanding circles and a universal yet unequal love
Confucianism, familialism and relations between the private and the public
Confucianism versus the nation-state
The Confucian theory of just war and international peace
Implications of Confucian ideas for environmentalism, animal rights and feminism
Three | The middle way of Confucianism: an equality-based mobile hierarchy
Confucians’ understanding of the equality of human beings
Legitimacy of the sovereignlies in satisfaction of the people’s interests
The hierarchical side of Confucianism
The Confucian hybrid regime
Four | Daoism: return to an age of innocence
Difficulties in understanding the Lao Zi
Why can’t taking action cure political ills?
Naturalness and governing with no actions: distinctively Daoist ideas?
The preference of the weak and the ‘really’ natural cycle
Difficulties in returning to the natural cycle
The ultimate answer: return to small and isolated states with few people
Can we bring about ‘small states with few people’?
Five | The Legalists: builders of modern bureaucracy and institutions
The life and deeds of Legalist Shang Yang
Han Fei Zi: the successor to the Lao Zi on natural laws
The reality of human beings
The unreliability of familial care and the unresolvable conflict between private and public
Truly virtuous people are useless at governing
The teachings of the wise are applicable neither to the many nor to the few
Han Fei Zi, Xun Zi and modern European thought
The strength of a state and the five vermin
A bureaucracy chosen on the basis of results
The ideal ruler, governing with no (human) action
Governing with uniform and strict laws
Do not govern on the basis of personal preferences or human criteria
The ideal ruler: embodying the Way and being selfless
Correct the non-ideal ruler and maintain his supreme authority: a conflict?
The righteous, solitary and indignant man
Six | Later developments: the middle way
The successes and failures of the Qin dynasty and of Han Fei Zi’s teachings
The hybrid regime: laws and institutions with a Confucian foundation
Confucian attempts to check the ruler
Centralization of power versus local autonomy
Bad blends of Legalism and Confucianism
China: an authoritarian state?
Conclusion | The contemporary relevance of traditional Chinese political philosophy
The Confucian middle way: compassion and the hybrid regime
Competition and convergence
China
：The Political Philosophy of the Middle Kingdom
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