China - The Political Philosophy of the Middle Kingdom : The Political Philosophy of the Middle Kingdom

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 China's 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 China's rise. Going beyond this, Bai argues that the debates between China's 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 Zed's 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. World Political Theories About the author Title page Copyright page Acknowledgements Introduction Message from China Overview How Chinese philosophers express themselves One | Modernity before its time: the historical context of ‘classical’ Chinese political thought Historical background 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 Confucius and his school 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’? Lessons for today Five | The Legalists: builders of modern bureaucracy and institutions The life and deeds of Legalist Shang Yang The life of Han Fei Zi Han Fei Zi: the successor to the Lao Zi on natural laws The reality of human beings Ancients versus moderns 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 Selection of the worthy 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 Understanding modernity The Confucian middle way: compassion and the hybrid regime Limits of humans Han Fei Zi and modernity Competition and convergence Notes References Index About Zed Books 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 China's past, and showing how it impacts upon the present. Part of ZedOCOs World Political Theories series, this ground-breaking work offers a remarkable insight into the political history and thought of a nation that is becoming increasingly powerful on the world stage.