Confucius Makes A Comeback
June 6th, 2007
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?
Entry Filed under: Pre-Departure, Beijing, China
7 Comments Add your own
1. Chris Carr | June 6th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Good post. Interesting article. Timely topic.
2. Paul | June 7th, 2007 at 12:10 am
it is really a hard question for an ordinary, as a Chinese. Can Communism take the role of national religion in the era that capitalism and Communism being together?
The “open door policy” is a kind of announcement that the Party accept that China is in the period of capotalism based upon the Communism: some would be the first rich, help the poor, and then realize the equity. A capitalist maybe gives a hand, but treasure can not solve “real equity” in China. The essential factor to make equity is right, which is not different from cities, races and so on.
I feel a headache thinking that unreachable things.
Why feed the panda but fear the panda growing up.
3. Chris Carr | June 7th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Paul,
Thanks for checking in.
Do you think the CCP’s fear of freedom of association/assembly, which national Confucianism might provide that will in turn undercut it, over-rides the potential power benefits the CCP might gain from allowing such a movement to develop and grow?
I have no idea. I am curious what you think.
4. Paul | June 7th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
To Chris
The CCP might fear that freedom, the more centralized of power, the more scared to separate the power.
Actions taken, was printed the LOGO “CCP” which is the biggest brand in China.
Have you ever seen the “XinWen LianBo” on CCTV-1?
5. Chris Carr | June 8th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Hi Paul.
No have not seen it. What do I need to know about XinWen LianBo? I currently know very little about it and watch very little TV.
6. Paul | June 9th, 2007 at 7:04 am
To Chris
XinWen LianBo is the official announcement channel of the GOV and CCP to the World.
You may find the latest news of the actions taken in China.
You might find out if the TV station has that channel broadcasted in US, CCTV-4 and CCTV-9 international are both OK.
7. Fatih Sunor | June 9th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Very interesting article Jared. The first thing that came into my mind was related to the limited freedoms in state practice of Confucianism. Will the government gain more power on exercising communism taking advantage of a state religion? Another question was about the nature of communist states. In the historical context of communism, religion in any form is not really welcomed. Could China be looking ways to soften the communism and reshape it into more of a capitalistic framework? What do you think guys?
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed