Confucianism for the Contemporary World: Global Order, Political Plurality, and Social Action (SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture)

Contents 6 List of Illustrations 8 Preface 10 Introduction 12 The Openness of the 1980s and 1990s 13 Global and Local Factors 15 New Confucianism as a Modernization Theory 18 The Moral Foundation of Contemporary Democratic Institutions 20 New Understanding of Tang Junyi 22 Confucius as a Commodity and a Cultural Icon 24 Confucianism of the Twenty-First Century 25 Notes 26 Part One: Capitalism and the Global Order 32 1. Global Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics Fang Keli’s New Confucian Research Project (1986–1995) 34 Three Intellectual Currents 36 Three Generations of New Confucians 39 Confucian Capitalism 43 Conclusion 45 Notes 46 2. Confucianism, Community, Capitalism Chen Lai and the Spirit of Max Weber 50 Confucianism as a Moral Project: The Critique of Instrumental Rationality 53 Instrumental Rationality and East Asian Development 59 Chen Lai, Max Weber, and the Chinese Discourse on Modernity 64 Notes 68 3. Realizing Tianxia Traditional Values and China’s Foreign Policy 76 The Concept of Tianxia 78 A Hierarchical World Order 81 Political Meritocracy 84 Social Harmony 87 Conclusion 89 Notes 90 4. Confucianism to Save the World 96 Which Confucianism? 96 How Can Political Confucianism Save the World? 100 China as a Role Model? 105 Notes 107 Part Two: Political Plurality and Civil Society 110 5. Building Democracy The Theory and Practice of Contemporary New Confucianism 112 Confucianism and Democracy 113 The 1958 Declaration 114 Mou Zongsan’s Contribution 115 The Perfect Balance 117 Taiwan Democracy 118 Notes 120 6. Self-Restriction and Progressive Confucianism 122 Self--Restriction in Politics 125 Is This Confucianism? 129 Progressive Confucianism 132 Notes 133 7. Confucianism and Civil Society The New Meanings of “Inner Sage” and “Outer King” 138 The Third Epoch 139 Three Intellectual Sources 141 A New Morality 142 Confucianism and Civil Society 143 Notes 144 8. A Mission Impossible? Mou Zongsan’s Attempt to Rebuild Morality in the Modern Age 148 The Mission of Contemporary New Confucianism 149 Mou Zongsan’s Endeavor 153 Conclusion 157 Notes 158 9. The Challenge of Totalitarianism Lessons from Tang Junyi’s Political Philosophy 162 Modernization and Human Agency from a Confucian Perspective 166 Foundations of Historical Optimism 170 Delimiting a “Philosophy of History” 172 On the Totalitarian Challenge 174 Overcoming Totalitarianism? 182 Notes 189 10. A Critique of Colonialism and Capitalism Tang Junyi’s Views on Plurality and Openness 198 Contextualizing Tang’s Humanism 199 Education in Colonial Hong Kong 201 Confucianism and Openness 202 China’s Path to Modernization 204 Capitalism and Confucian Ethnics 206 The Contemporary Significance of Tang Junyi 208 Notes 208 Part Three: Social Responsibility and Social Action 212 11. Worshipping Ancestors in Modern China Confucius and the Yellow Emperor as Icons of Chinese Identity 214 Yellow Emperor as National Ancestor 216 Yellow Emperor and Confucius as Rival National Icons 218 The Worship of the Yellow Emperor in Shaanxi 220 The Worship of Confucius in Qufu 224 Conclusion 230 Notes 231 12. The Chinese Media’s Campaign for Confucianism Motivations, Implications, and Problems 240 The Mass Media’s Promotion of Confucius 241 The Confucius Memorial Ceremony 243 Confucius Institutes 244 Advocating Confucianism on the Internet 245 The Motives behind the Chinese Government’s Promotion of Confucianism 246 The Basis of National Unity and Cultural Identity 246 Maintaining Social Stability and Building a Harmonious Society 247 The Need to Build Cultural Power and Enhance the Image of China 248 Dissemination of Chinese Values and Improving International Relations 249 Problems and Weaknesses 250 The Impact of the Promotion of Confucianism 250 Conclusion 253 Notes 254 Epilogue Beyond New Confucianism Expanding the Contemporary Rudao 256 The Third Epoch of the Confucian Way 259 Social Praxis: The Role of Li 禮 263 The Diversity of Change: “Getting Beyond New Confucianism” 266 Notes 270 Bibliography 274 Notes on Contributors 298 Index 302 Condemned during the Maoist era as a relic of feudalism, Confucianism enjoyed a robust revival in post-Mao China as China's economy began its rapid expansion and gradual integration into the global economy. Associated with economic development, individual growth, and social progress by its advocates, Confucianism became a potent force in shaping politics and society in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities. This book links the contemporary Confucian revival to debates - both within and outside China - about global capitalism, East Asian modernity, political reforms, civil society, and human alienation. The contributors offer fresh insights on the contemporary Confucian revival as a broad cultural phenomenon, encompassing an interpretation of Confucian moral teaching; a theory of political action; a vision of social justice; and a perspective for a new global order, in addition to demonstrating that Confucianism is capable of addressing a wide range of social and political issues in the twenty-first century. -- from back cover Condemned during the Maoist era as a relic of feudalism, Confucianism enjoyed a robust revival in post-Mao China as China?s economy began its rapid expansion and gradual integration into the global economy. Associated with economic development, individual growth, and social progress by its advocates, Confucianism became a potent force in shaping politics and society in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities. This book links the contemporary Confucian revival to debates - both within and outside China -0about global capitalism, East Asian modernity, political reforms, civil society, and human alienation. The contributors offer fresh insights on the contemporary Confucian revival as a broad cultural phenomenon, encompassing an interpretation of Confucian moral teaching; a theory of political action; a vision of social justice; and a perspective for a new global order, in addition to demonstrating that Confucianism is capable of addressing a wide range of social and political issues in the twenty-first century.0