Confucius Makes A Comeback
Submitted By: Jared Samarin
In the May 25th Economist, along with a very interesting graphic on the cover of a cute but menacing Panda and the caption “America’s Fear of China”, was an article concerning the importance of ideology in the PRC. After an exit from popularity through the 20th century and most certainly during Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution, Confucianism and other teachings of the great sage are gaining popularity amongst Chinese political academics. According to many, Confucianism may be just the shot in the arm the Communist party needs if they are to retain an ordered state.
The alarming disparity between the haves and have nots within the communist state threatens to overturn the authority of party officials. Confucianism, with its propensity to cause people to think of the group before self, could help to retain order. According to Professor Kang Xiaoguang, an outspoken faculty from Beijing’s Renmin University, Confucianism should become the accepted religion of the state. According to the article such ideas are attempts to provide a different philosophical underpinning to the purpose of Communism, and help restore people’s faith in the party. Confucianism is a homegrown set of ideals and philosophy that was revered in the past for its clarity of thought with regard to political philosophy and personal ethics.
Unfortunately for the party, faith in Communism waned long ago amongst China’s lower classes, the people who were supposed to benefit most from a Communist state. That said, party officials must be careful to retain the confidence in the system even in the face of a slowing rate of economic growth. Further bad news for the proponents of a national Confucian religion is that the party may be slow to except their offer. After all, the only mode for political change that Confucius ever taught of was revolution, not much of an option for a party clinging to power. According to many though an alliance between Confucianism and the State may be one of the only ways to help save the authority of a party who many see as only helping the rich and abandoning its core ideals. The adoption may also allow the party to improve its international image. The article cites that by taking this new idealist line they can be seen as an idealist party who seeks to improve the lives of all Chinese as opposed to just an “ideologically bankrupt” administration who allows money and money alone to rule the day.
Those things said, I would raise the question what would be the best course of action for the Communist party? Is it worthwhile to attempt to adopt a national religion as an attempt to bring new ideals to underpin your rule? Or should you continue to hope that people would follow with hope that equity will come?
7 comments June 6th, 2007