The Political Tradition of Confucianism and the Prospect of Democracy in China

The Political Tradition of Confucianism and the Prospect of Democracy of China

( Summary )

By Yan Jiaqi

Confucianism has greatly influenced the Chinese nation. It is an ideology which extends paternal love of the family to the political life of the state. The tradition of Confucianism is conducive to social harmony in China, yet hampering social growth (While the Enlightenment of Europe was considered as the ‘ rebellious stage’ of growth of Europe.) the May 4th Movement of China has the same significance benefit from not only Many European countries could the ‘rebellious stage’, relying path on wisdom and rationale , but also on a conscientious choice of for their own countries. This path to ill evertvally lead to democracy. China however after the May 4^th rebellious stage, embraced Marxism. Marxism has won the ruling status in China and hampered China’s normal growth after the May 4^th rebellious stage. There are many good elements in Confucianism. However, the political ideal of Confucianism – ‘loving father politics’-- has two main defects. Firstly, the ‘loving father’ may become a ‘despotic father’. Secondly ‘the loving father allows no free choice of the mind for his children’. Democracy on the overhand, builds on two great cornerstones: ‘freedom of the mind’, and the recognition of ‘imperfection of human’ and ‘check and balanco of power’. After the May 4^th rebellious stage and the June 4^th catastrophe, Democracy is China’s only hope to peace and proqress.

Looking forward to the future of China with respect to the structure of the state, a ‘union of confederation style’ will be the most viable alternative. Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mogolia, Hong Kong , Macau and Taiwan and maybe even Guangxi and Ningxia , will become ‘special union states’ of the Union of a united China. If the Republic of China founded in 1921 and the People’s Republic of China founded in 1949 were called ‘the First Republic’ and ‘the Second Republic’ respectively, then a liberal, democratic union of China would be ‘the Third Republic of China’. The future of China will be build on ‘the Third Republic’.