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Summary
Discusses contemporary Confucianism’s relevance and its capacity to address pressing social and political issues of twenty-first-century life.
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.
“It is noteworthy that the focus of this book is the role of Confucianism for today’s China and for the rest of the world as well. Hence, the exploration of how New Confucianism can become an antidote to the problems of alienation, commodification, and social injustice in modern society has relevance for all of us who live in today’s world.” — Reading Religion
Tze-ki Hon is Professor of Chinese and History at City University of Hong Kong. He is the author of The Yijing and Chinese Politics: Classical Commentary and Literati Activism in the Northern Song Period, 960–1127, also published by SUNY Press; Revolution as Restoration: Guocui Xuebao and China’s Path to Modernity, 1905–1911; and The Allure of the Nation: The Cultural and Historical Debates in Late Qing and Republican China. Kristin Stapleton is Professor of History at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. She is the author of Civilizing Chengdu: Chinese Urban Reform, 1895–1937 and Fact in Fiction: 1920s China and Ba Jin’s Family.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface Kristin Stapleton
Introduction: Confucianism for the Contemporary World Tze-ki Hon
Part I: Capitalism and the Global Order
1. Global Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics
Fang Keli’s New Confucian Research Project (1986–1995) Tze-ki Hon
2. Confucianism, Community, Capitalism
Chen Lai and the Spirit of Max Weber Els van Dongen
3. Realizing Tianxia
Traditional Values and China’s Foreign Policy Daniel A. Bell
4. Confucianism to Save the World Tongdong Bai
Part II: Political Plurality and Civil Society
5. Building Democracy
The Theory and Practice of Contemporary New Confucianism Ming-huei Lee
6. Self-Restriction and Progressive Confucianism Stephen C. Angle
7. Confucianism and Civil Society
The New Meanings of “Inner Sage” and “Outer King” An-wu Lin
8. A Mission Impossible?
Mou Zongsan’s Attempt to Rebuild Morality in the Modern Age Ke Sheng
9. The Challenge of Totalitarianism
Lessons from Tang Junyi’s Political Philosophy Thomas Fröhlich
10. A Critique of Colonialism and Capitalism
Tang Junyi’s Views on Plurality and Openness Hok Yin Chan
Part III: Social Responsibility and Social Action
11. Worshipping Ancestors in Modern China
Confucius and the Yellow Emperor as Icons of Chinese Identity Marc Andre Matten
12. The Chinese Media’s Campaign for Confucianism
Motivations, Implications, and Problems Junhao Hong, Miao Liu, and Wen Huang
Epilogue
Beyond New Confucianism
Expanding the Contemporary Rudao John H. Berthrong
