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This book critically examines the Confucian political imagination and its influence on the contemporary Chinese dream of a powerful China. It views Confucianism as the ideological supplement to a powerful state that is challenging Western hegemony, and not as a political philosophy that need not concern us. Eske Møllgaard shows that Confucians, despite their traditionalist ways, have the will to transform the existing socio-ethical order. The volume discusses the central features of the Confucian political imaginary, the nature of Confucian discourse, Confucian revivals, Confucian humanism and civility, and the political ideal of the Great Unity. It concludes by considering if Confucianism can be universalized as an ideology in competition with liberal democracy.
List of contents
1. Introduction: The Confucian Challenge.- 2. The Imaginary.- 3. The Discourse.- 4. The Revivals.- 5. Humanism.- 6. Civility.- 7. Decline of the Great Unity.- 8. Can Confucianism be Universalized?
About the author
Eske Møllgaard is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Rhode Island, USA.
Summary
This book critically examines the Confucian political imagination and its influence on the contemporary Chinese dream of a powerful China. It views Confucianism as the ideological supplement to a powerful state that is challenging Western hegemony, and not as a political philosophy that need not concern us. Eske Møllgaard shows that Confucians, despite their traditionalist ways, have the will to transform the existing socio-ethical order. The volume discusses the central features of the Confucian political imaginary, the nature of Confucian discourse, Confucian revivals, Confucian humanism and civility, and the political ideal of the Great Unity. It concludes by considering if Confucianism can be universalized as an ideology in competition with liberal democracy.
Additional text
“An outstanding contribution to the currently booming discourse on the Confucian revival: a contribution that will be studied and discussed both in academe and in the wider circles of an interested public as well. … it can be safely stated that this book will soon become a seminal text for scholars of Chinese culture and society, and is thus warmly recommended to all students of Chinese religions as well.” (Lehel Balogh, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 45 (2), June, 2019)
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"An outstanding contribution to the currently booming discourse on the Confucian revival: a contribution that will be studied and discussed both in academe and in the wider circles of an interested public as well. ... it can be safely stated that this book will soon become a seminal text for scholars of Chinese culture and society, and is thus warmly recommended to all students of Chinese religions as well." (Lehel Balogh, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 45 (2), June, 2019)
