Confucian Perfectionism: A Political Philosophy for Modern Times (The Princeton-China Series Book 6)

"Since the very beginning, Confucianism has been troubled by a serious gap between its political ideals and the reality of societal circumstances. Contemporary Confucians must develop a viable method of governance that can retain the spirit of the Confucian ideal while tackling problems arising from nonideal modern situations. The best way to meet this challenge, Joseph Chan argues, is to adopt liberal democratic institutions that are shaped by the Confucian conception of the good rather than the liberal conception of the right. Confucian Perfectionism examines and reconstructs both Confucian political thought and liberal democratic institutions, blending them to form a new Confucian political philosophy. Chan decouples liberal democratic institutions from their popular liberal philosophical foundations in fundamental moral rights, such as popular sovereignty, political equality, and individual sovereignty. Instead, he grounds them on Confucian principles and redefines their roles and functions, thus mixing Confucianism with liberal democratic institutions in a way that strengthens both. Then he explores the implications of this new yet traditional political philosophy for fundamental issues in modern politics, including authority, democracy, human rights, civil liberties, and social justice. Confucian Perfectionism critically reconfigures the Confucian political philosophy of the classical period for the contemporary era"-- Provided by publisher Since The Very Beginning, Confucianism Has Been Troubled By A Serious Gap Between Its Political Ideals And The Reality Of Societal Circumstances. Contemporary Confucians Must Develop A Viable Method Of Governance That Can Retain The Spirit Of The Confucian Ideal While Tackling Problems Arising From Nonideal Modern Situations. The Best Way To Meet This Challenge, Joseph Chan Argues, Is To Adopt Liberal Democratic Institutions That Are Shaped By The Confucian Conception Of The Good Rather Than The Liberal Conception Of The Right.confucian Perfectionism Examines And Reconstructs Both Confucian Political Thought And Liberal Democratic Institutions, Blending Them To Form A New Confucian Political Philosophy. Chan Decouples Liberal Democratic Institutions From Their Popular Liberal Philosophical Foundations In Fundamental Moral Rights, Such As Popular Sovereignty, Political Equality, And Individual Sovereignty. Instead, He Grounds Them On Confucian Principles And Redefines Their Roles And Functions, Thus Mixing Confucianism With Liberal Democratic Institutions In A Way That Strengthens Both. Then He Explores The Implications Of This New Yet Traditional Political Philosophy For Fundamental Issues In Modern Politics, Including Authority, Democracy, Human Rights, Civil Liberties, And Social Justice.confucian Perfectionism Critically Reconfigures The Confucian Political Philosophy Of The Classical Period For The Contemporary Era-- Part I Political Authority And Institution 25 -- Chapter 1 What Is Political Authority? 27 -- Chapter 2 Monism Or Limited Government? 46 -- Chapter 3 The Role Of Institution 65 -- Chapter 4 Mixing Confucianism And Democracy 81 -- Part Ii Rights, Liberties, And Justice 111 -- Chapter 5 Human Rights As A Fallback Apparatus 113 -- Chapter 6 Individual Autonomy And Civil Liberties 131 -- Chapter 7 Social Justice As Sufficiency For All 160 -- Chapter 8 Social Welfare And Care 178. Joseph Chan. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 233-246) And Index. Since the very beginning, Confucianism has been troubled by a serious gap between its political ideals and the reality of societal circumstances. Contemporary Confucians must develop a viable method of governance that can retain the spirit of the Confucian ideal while tackling problems arising from nonideal modern situations. The best way to meet this challenge, this book argues, is to adopt liberal democratic institutions that are shaped by the Confucian conception of the good rather than the liberal conception of the right. The book examines and reconstructs both Confucian political thought and liberal democratic institutions, blending them to form a new Confucian political philosophy. The book decouples liberal democratic institutions from their popular liberal philosophical foundations in fundamental moral rights, such as popular sovereignty, political equality, and individual sovereignty. Instead, it grounds them on Confucian principles and redefines their roles and functions, thus mixing Confucianism with liberal democratic institutions in a way that strengthens both. The book then explores the implications of this new yet traditional political philosophy for fundamental issues in modern politics, including authority, democracy, human rights, civil liberties, and social justice. The book critically reconfigures the Confucian political philosophy of the classical period for the contemporary era. Contents Foreword by Series Editor Preface Introduction. Interplay between the Political Ideal and Reality PART I. Political Authority and Institution Chapter 1. What Is Political Authority? Chapter 2. Monism or Limited Government? Chapter 3. The Role of Institution Chapter 4. Mixing Confucianism and Democracy PART II. Rights, Liberties, and Justice Chapter 5. Human Rights as a Fallback Apparatus Chapter 6. Individual Autonomy and Civil Liberties Chapter 7. Social Justice as Sufficiency for All Chapter 8. Social Welfare and Care Conclusion. Confucian Political Perfectionism Appendix 1: Notes on Scope and Methods Appendix 2: Against the Ownership Conception of Authority Bibliography Index