Assess the role of Confucianism in China today.

Confucianism is the de facto philosophy of China since the Han era, and was
adopted by many emperors as the state ideology. It emphasizes social order,
through its hierarchical nature, and the ideal state is where everyone in society
keeps to their role in the social ladder. Besides this, Confucianism also emphasized
on relationships, and adheres to the fact that society has to be revolved around
relationship, thus giving birth to the term guanxi. Hence Confucianism serves as a
framework for political and social organization in China and a lubricant for the
Chinese to interact and relate with each other. Though long in history, Confucianism
took a brief hiatus in China during the Cultural Revolution. Labeled as one of the
Four Olds by the Red Army, Confucianism was deemed feudal and was thus
banned in China for a 10year period. It was until Dengs time when Confucianism
was no longer seen as a bane in China, but was also not highly regarded as before.
It was Hu-Wen who revived Confucianism in China with the bid in hoping to resolve
certain problems both in the domestic and international spheres.
Confucianism is able to create a unified Chinese identity, given its rich and long
history in China. Confucianism has been the de facto philosophy for nearly
2milleniums therefore its values and beliefs are deeply entrenched in the psyche of
the Chinese. The CCP has been trying to create a unified Chinese identity to resolve
the differences within the different sectors of the society. Confucianism is one
philosophy which virtually all Chinese can identify with given its rich history. With
this uniformity, the CCP can create a singular Chinese identity which all Chinese can
relate which all Chinese can relate to and not try to separate the country. This can
be in sync with Confucianisms ideal of harmony though the 5 cardinal relationships
between the ruler and subjects, husband and wife, father and son, between
brothers and friends, where a country, society and family should not show signs of
separatism, ie Taiwan Tibet or Xinjiang. Provinces with potential separatist
movements should align themselves with the central government for the
betterment of an ultimate goal, ie a strong and unified China. However,
Confucianism is practically a Han philosophy. Given the plurality of present day
China, this so-called singular Chinese identity is still a Han identity. This could
actually present the idea of Han cultural chauvinism forcing the ethnic minorities to
accept a predominant Han culture and philosophy. We cannot overlook that there
are also ethnic minorities who use Islam, Buddhism and other forms of animism as
their basis of beliefs and philosophies. Such acts of chauvinism may even alienate
the already disgruntled Tibetans to Uyghur to further separate them from
mainstream Han society. A better alternative would be developing the west, such
as the Go West Policy which uses economic benefits to bind the isolated regions
together with mainstream society.
Confucianism is useful tool in countering the effects created by the economic
reforms. With rapid economic growth, comes social erosion in contemporary
Chinese society. Materialism and individualism are but just some of the social ills
deemed detrimental in terms of Chinese traditional values. It is not uncommon to
see young people engaging in sex trade in exchange for money. In order to look
beautiful, leg extension operations are now becoming an in thing for
Shanghainese women. In order to prevent creating a generation of degenerates, the
government hopes to use Confucian values to instill in the younger generation, the

ideals of thriftiness, so that these social ills do not threaten the future generations
of Chinese to come. Furthermore, with the huge urban-rural divide discrimination
against the rual people is not uncommon amongst the urbanites. Hence, Hu
emphasizes the Confucian concept of Harmony by introducing Harmonious
society where everyone is equal with biasness in society. However, given the rate
of economic growth, the Chinese will be even more entrenched into materialism and
individualism as they get affluence by the day. Such social ills can hardly be
eradicated effectively as we see urbanites getting richer by the day, and more rural
migrants flowing into the urban centers. It is then inevitable that the rural migrants
will start to pose a threat to the urbanites in terms of employment. The urbanites
will continue to discriminate against these migrant workers. Local workers and
abuse of power will also continue to appear as entrepreneurs try to gain a foothold
in this economic bullet train. Corruption is still rampant in China and it still involves
top officials. This especially true when the Mayor of Shanghai and several other top
Shanghainese officials were implicated in a corruption scandal in 2005 that shook
China. Hence, tough laws and regulations would prove better to deter officials and
businessmen from engaging in shady deals.
Confucianism can actually help to strengthen the CCPs legitimacy in China. Given
Confucianisms emphasis on leadership ie reciprocal relations between the ruler and
the subjects and values such as respect towards authority, the CCP can utilize it to
its advantage in maintaining legitimacy in the country. As mentioned by Confucius,
the mandate of Heaven will only be granted to a ruler showing benevolence to its
subject. Translating this to modern terms, the CCP has to show benevolent
leadership qualities in order to sustain its rule in China. As such, it has to project
positive leadership qualities in order to sustain its rule in China. As such, it has to
project positive leadership qualities to win the hearts and minds of the people. This
was done through Hu Wens pro people policies which helped the leadership gain
credibility in the country. The 2008 Sichuan Earthquake was a very useful platform
for the leaders to project benevolence through their swift and prompt actions in
disasters relief efforts. By winning the hearths of the people through the soft
approach, it will be deemed though the soft approach, it will be deemed a longlasting and more effective way of maintain legitimacy for the CCP. However, with
the rise of the middle-class who were exposed to Western ideologies such as
democracy and freedom of expression, they will pose a huge challenge to the CCPs
legitimacy. The leadership has always been under scrutiny by the middle class in
China, who can expose the flaws in their governance. This will in fact undermine
efforts by the government in trying to project a clean and benevolent image. The
middle class has questioned the government in trying to project a clean and
benevolent image. The middle-class has questioned the government in terms of
environment policies and has exposed many flaws by the government. Incompetent
and corrupt local government has also undermined the central governments efforts
in improving the CCPs image in the long run. Despite the central leaders trying to
project a clean and caring image, the local government has utterly created a
corrupted and tyrannical image of the government body. Many riots that took place
in China actually stems from dissent amongst people who have issues with the local
authorities. One such incident would be the cooperation between local and
corrupted officials and unscrupulous developers in Wen Chuan, resulting in the
massive collapse of buildings during the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake. Hence, the way
the local authorities conduct themselves in actually reflective of the CCP in eyes of

the Chinese. Such unethical conducts are potential platforms for the middle-class to
point their fingers against the CCP for incompetent governance, thus projecting a
very negative image of the latter.
With the influx of Western ideas, Confucianism is deemed irrelevant and absolute as
the basis of Chinese social mores. Unlike the Chinese in the past, contemporary
Chinese are now more exposed to foreign philosophies which can also represent
Chinese society. Capitalism is what drives the Chinese in prospering economically.
The Confucian ideals will seem more irrelevant as China develops and more people
are getting more affluent by the day. The Chinese will identify more with Chinas
economic miracle by being part of it. Moreover, as more Chinese are educated
abroad, they will not want to identify more with Western values, which is more
representative of their social status. This sector of society is more confined to the
middle and upper classes in the urban centers. Given the rising number of people in
these sectors, the number of Western leaning Chinese will certainly be a strong
socio-political force in China in the years to come.
Confucianism may have its hands tied when dealing with practical problems which
require pragmatic resolutions. As China develops economically, there will definitely
be more complex challenges which cannot be solved by Confucianism alone. This is
especially true as China is facing practical problems which require more pragmatic
resources. For eg, the CCP has to deal with the reality of a depleting energy pool
and will thus have to depends on science and technology, and foreign relations for
new sources of energy. Environmental issues are also practical problems which
require a more pragmatic approach to solve. Confucianism when faced with such
practical problems has its hands tied. The CCP cannot turn to Confucianism when
faced with such realistic problems. Ultimately, the CCP will have to depends on
other alternatives for solutions and measures.
In conclusion, the role of Confucianism in China today is still effective in countering
problems at the socio-political dimensions in the long-run, as it involves influencing
the mindsets of the Chinese. However, given the complexities of Chinese society
today as compared to the past. Confucianism might have its limitations in certain
areas to fully fulfill its potential. As such, the CCP will have to turn to other
alternatives for more practical and effective solutions. Therefore, present-day China
is more complex and Confucianism alone cannot be the answer to each and every
problem China faces. It will take more than an idealistic philosophy to solve the
more practical problems China is facing by the days. In fact, Confucianism can
actually complement the existing practical solutions China has been using to
resolve some of its domestic problems.

Confucianism is not the most important influence in shaping China today Assess
this view.
Duality: Confucianism is important yet in spite of its importance, it is not the most
important
Stand: Not the most important
Criteria: depends on the current realities of the world, the nature of CCPs
governance and the Chinese people. Confucianism contradicts CCPs principles
hence it will not go to a large extent to promote it
1) Confucianism is an important in China as it is the traditional philosophy of the
Han majority and the source of their great socio-political influence.
2) Confucianist principles exerted great influence on Chinas culture and society
as they are embedded in the mindset and behavior of the people.
3) Confucianist influence is significant in China today given active promotion by
the CCP.
4) Confucianist influence is also one of the factors influencing the conduct of the
Chinese foreign policy
5) However, Confucianism could not have been the most important influence in
shaping Chinese society given that the realities and peoples mindset have
changed. Talk about cosmopolitanism, western and internet influence

6) Also, Confucianism could not have been the most important influence in
affecting CCPs governance as the challenges confronting Beijing are
complex. (It cannot solve inflation, corruption and pollution)
7) Despite its open advocacy of Confucianism, Chinese diplomatic policies are
guided by pragmatism that does not always correspond with the millennium
old philosophy. E.g. not very harmonious, seek to use force as seen in East
and South China Seas issues.

Traditional Chinese philosophies and thought still play a significant role in shaping
Chinese culture and society today. Assess this view.
Traditions Chinese philosophies are overshadowed by the influx of more popular
foreign influences, which have transformed Chinese values and lifestyle.
Traditional Chinese philosophies alone could not meet the complex needs of modern
Chinese culture and society.
Certain principles of traditional Chinese thoughts are deemed irrelevant to the social
realities of modern China.
Traditional thoughts are mainly Han-based culture, thus do not endear themselves
to many minorities living in China today.
Much of what underline Chinese values and behavior today are influenced by
traditional thoughts.
Both the government and its people have actively sought the revival of traditional
thoughts to counter the influx of foreign influences.
Traditions are significant as they continue to define the modern cultural and national
identity for most Chinese.
Traditional Chinese philosophies and thought play an important role as they
continue to influence much of Chinese values and social behaviors today,
generating a contemporary culture that is uniquely Chinese. However, significance

of the abovementioned must not be overstated as most of what can be observed in

modern Chinese culture and society has been transformed by foreign influences.