Political and

Social
Confucianism
 Brief
Background
Confucianism
 CONFUCIANISM
Confucianism in society and politics rooted from the
teachings of Confucius. Its purpose is to achieve
harmony, an important social value that plays in shaping
and forming Chinese characters. This teachings
emphasizes moral virtue, hierarchical relationships, and
the cultivation of ethical leaders.
The key aspects of
Confucianism in politics was:
● The development of merit based
bureaucracies

● That the rulers were seen as the “Son of

Heaven”

● Confucian political ideology placed

Confucianism has many
profound effects as:
● promotes harmony through the “Five relationship”.

● Confucianism reinforced patriarchy by putting

males to positions of authority in both the public
and private spheres.

● Confucianism gives importance in education.

Even after many centuries, Confucianism still continues to
influence the modern government on its importance of
ethical leadership and maintaining harmony, family system
and the social values in countries such as China, Korea,
And Japan.
 Main
Philosophers
 Kang Youwei
● Chinese Scholar

● Born in Nanhai, Guangdong Province in

China.

● When he was 20, Kang started contributing

to the society's political doings.

● He influenced Guangxu Emperor to

introduce constitutional government.
 Gongsun Hong
● Chinese Scholar

● Was born in Zichuan [now in Shandong

province], China.

● known for his ability to interpret omens

(portents).

● A scholar who helped establish

Confucianism as the official doctrine of the
Chinese state.
 Emperor Wu Di
● Emperor of the Han dynasty from 141 to
87 BCE.

● Made Confucianism the official state

ideology

● Canonized the Five Classics:

1. The Odes
2. The Documents
3. The Rites
4. The Changes
5. The Spring and Autumn Annals
 Emperor Wu Di
● Emperor Wu is widely accredited for
spearheading the golden age of
Confucianism.

- Schools were mandated to teach

Confucianism

- The Han Dynasty is regarded as the starting

point and the golden age of Confucianism as
China’s state ideology.
 Liang Qichao
● A Confucian scholar whose ideology consisted of both
Confucian and Western thought.

● He served as both China’s Minister of Justice and Minister

of Finance.

● Liang believed that Confucianism played a key part in

maintaining social order.

● He believed that there was good in both sides of the coin.

● He was inspired by his experiences during WWI.

Basic Theory of
Confucianism
The Concept of Junzi:
The Exemplary Person

The term "junzi" (君子) originally referred to a person of noble birth, but
Confucius redefined it to emphasize moral and ethical excellence instead
of social status.

This shift highlighted the belief that virtue, not birth, should determine
leadership. Confucius’s idea was revolutionary and continues to influence
modern discussions on meritocracy and ethical leadership.
Core Virtues
Ren (仁, benevolence):
The junzi is a term in Confucianism that refers to an ideal person,
synonymous with the person embodying ren. Originally, ren indicated
the physical appearance of an aristocrat, but it has evolved to
represent the highest Confucian virtue, encompassing compassion,
humaneness, and love for others.

Ren is complex, involving not only empathy but also proactive efforts
to promote others' well-being. A junzi develops ren through self-
reflection, empathy, and acts of kindness.
Li (禮, propriety):
Li in Confucianism refers to proper conduct, etiquette, and ritual,
extending beyond formal ceremonies to include appropriate
behavior in all social interactions.

For a junzi, li is not about strict rule-following but understanding the

spirit behind social norms and acting to foster harmony and mutual
respect.
Yi (義, righteousness):

Yi signifies moral rightness and justice, involving actions and

decisions based on what is ethically correct rather than self-
interest.

A junzi embodies yi by consistently striving to do what is right, even

in challenging situations.
 Xiao (孝, filial piety):
Xiao is the virtue of respect and care for one's parents and ancestors,
seen in Confucianism as the foundation of all virtues and social
order.

A junzi demonstrates xiao in both personal and public life, viewing the
state as an extension of the family.
Zhi (智, wisdom):

Zhi represents wisdom or knowledge, but in Confucian thought, it

involves practical wisdom and the ability to apply knowledge
effectively and make moral judgments.

A junzi cultivates zhi through lifelong learning and self-reflection.

 The Junzi as a Role Model in
Society
The junzi is a moral role model who inspires others to live virtuously and
promotes social harmony.

Their leadership relies on moral authority, not force, making them effective
leaders. Becoming a junzi requires lifelong self-cultivation and dedication
to ethical development.

By embracing these ideals, individuals contribute to a more

compassionate and just society.
The Rectification of Names: Language,
Reality, and Social Order
The "rectification of names" (正名, zhèngmíng) is a core Confucian
principle advocating for the alignment of language with reality and
the proper fulfillment of social roles.

Confucius emphasized that societal harmony depends on the

correct use of language and the adherence to the responsibilities
tied to one's position. Misalignment in these areas, he argued,
leads to social disorder.
How Zhèngmíng Contributes to
Reducing Social Confusion and
Promoting Social Order:
• Clarification of Social Roles
Zhèngmíng emphasizes that clearly defined social roles help
maintain harmony by ensuring individuals fulfill their responsibilities,
such as rulers leading benevolently, parents guiding lovingly, and
children showing respect.

• Harmony in Language and Action

In Confucianism, zhèngmíng stresses that language must align
with reality; titles like "ruler" or "student" require corresponding
behavior. When names match actions, harmony prevails, but
misalignment leads to disorder.
 • Restoration of Proper Order
Zhèngmíng restores order by clarifying and adhering to proper roles
and titles. Confucius believed societal disorder stemmed from
neglecting these roles, and their rectification brings balance and
minimizes confusion.

Establishing Moral and Ethical Standards

Zhèngmíng upholds moral standards by linking clear, just titles to

corresponding responsibilities, ensuring actions align with roles
like rulers promoting justice and fairness to maintain social order.
• The Role of Leadership
In governance, zhèngmíng requires rulers to embody their titles
through virtuous, wise, and just actions. Failure to do so
undermines society's moral foundation and leads to disorder.

• Preventing Misuse of Power

Zhèngmíng helps prevent social confusion and corruption by ensuring
that titles and roles are used correctly. It holds those in power
accountable and prevents them from overstepping their functions,
supporting order and stability.
 Confucian Thought
Confucianism in China valued harmony between humans, nature, and
the cosmos, with the family as the central social unit.

It emphasized clear roles and mutual responsibilities in relationships,

with filial piety as the foundation for virtues, leading to humaneness
and a sense of connection to others.
 Confucian Thought
In traditional China, government was based on a monarchical model
resembling the family, with the ruler seen as both a divine leader and
a paternal figure.

Emphasis was placed on the ruler's moral conduct rather than

institutional changes. The local magistrate was viewed as a "father-
mother" figure, reinforcing the familial relationship between the state
and its people.

The term for state, guo-jia (nation-family), highlights this enduring

paternal connection.
 Confucian Thought
In early China, the state was responsible for the people's welfare, with
good rulers judged by stability, population growth, and public well-
being.

The Mandate of Heaven justified rule and rebellion against ineffective

rulers. The state managed resources, food supplies, and disaster
relief but low taxes often led to inadequate services and official
corruption.
 The Perfectibility of Man and the
Moral Role of Government
Confucian thought emphasized that humans could be perfected
through education and self-cultivation. Confucius believed in the
inherent potential of people, while Mencius saw human nature as
inherently good and Hsun Tzu as inclined toward evil.

Neo-Confucian philosophers from the 11th century onward supported

Mencius' view, focusing on nurturing human goodness through
education.
 The Perfectibility of Man and the
Moral Role of Government
The Confucian view of human goodness shaped the Chinese political
system, where rulers led by moral example and mediation instead
of force.

The state was seen as a moral guardian, with officials chosen for their
virtue and trained in Confucian classics. Status was based on
examination and official position, not wealth or business skills.
Legalism and a Strong State
Legalism, established during the Qin Dynasty, emphasized strict laws
and state power over morality.

While initially harsh, it was combined with Confucianism in later centuries

to create a centralized, bureaucratic state that managed public projects,
standardized systems, and maintained order through control.
MAOIST PERSPECTIVE ON
CONFUCIANISM (1966-1976)
 • Confucianism is not devoid of criticism.

• Confucianism faced the brunt of social scrutiny as China faced the

onslaught of Western imperialism.

• The May Fourth Movement (1919) is highly regarded as the start of

China’s reflective views on Confucianism.

• Mao Zedong criticized and viewed Confucianism as reactionary and

an ethics that caters to the upper class.

• Political analysts and philosophers from Mao Zedong’s era blamed

Confucianism for China’s weaknesses.

• Criticize Lin Piao, Critize Confucius

CONFUCIANISM IN THE 21ST
CENTURY
 • Chinese politics start to shift back towards Confucianism.

• China has since been reintegrating Confucianism back into their

political landscape since Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in 1978.

• Chinese Marxism: Confucianist Marxism?

• In 2014, there were decisions to remove Confucian literature from the

country’s educational system, which Xi Jin Ping publicly denounced.

• Modern day Confucian scholars and analysts believe that the reintegration of
Confucianism into Chinese politics can serve as a median within the Chinese
political spectrum.
 Conclusions
Confucianism emphasizes moral goodness, social harmony, and
virtuous leadership, shaping governance and societal structure. It
highlights the importance of education, kindness, and individuals
fulfilling their roles to maintain order and stability.

Despite past criticism, Confucian values remain influential in East Asia's

political and social frameworks. Renewed interest highlights their
relevance in blending traditional wisdom with modern challenges,
promoting moral governance and societal cohesion in a changing world.
 Application of confucianism in our daily
lives
Living by Confucius' philosophy involves embracing integrity, compassion, and
purposeful action. It emphasizes respect for family, elders, and societal roles
while prioritizing the collective good over personal gain.

Central to this philosophy is lifelong learning, self-improvement, and reflection to

ensure one's actions align with their values. Confucius encourages leading by
example, fostering fairness, kindness, and respect to create lasting positive
change in the world.

His teachings serve as a call to action, inspiring purposeful living and meaningful
contributions to society.
 References
Present Day Confucianism

The Confucian Tradition and Politics

Youngmin Kim, Ha-Kyoung Lee, and Seongun Park

The Oxford Handbook of the History of Political Philosophy

David Wong, chapter 48, pg 771-785

Xi Jinping and Confucianism: Legitimacy and a National Moral Identity

MaKenna Zoglmann
Asian Languages and Civilizations Department April 12, 2019
 References
Present Day Confucianism
Xi marks Confucius anniversary
By Zhang Yiqian Source:Global Times Published: 2014-9-25 0:28:01

e. The Chinese President’s Love Affair With Confucius Could Backfire

on Him
BY MICHAEL SCHUMAN
OCTOBER 30, 2014

https://time.com/3547467/china-beijing-xi-jinping-confucius-communism/
 Thanks!
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