A Confucian Constitutional Order

How China's Ancient Past Can Shape Its Political Future

Bibliographic Data

ID20019280
AuthorsQing Jiang (0000-0002-2552-9686), Jiang Qing (corresponding author)
EditorsDaniel A Bell (0000-0002-5521-3383), Ruiping Fan (0000-0002-3923-8441)
TranslatorsEdmund Ryden
Year2012
Pages256
Publication date2012-10-28
Open AccessYes
TypeBOOK
VenueA Confucian constitutional order (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherPrinceton University Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.23943/princeton/9780691154602.001.0001
OpenAlexW3212208620
Open LibraryOL25223712M
ISBN9780691154602
LanguageEN
Citations received27

As China continues to transform itself, many assume that the nation will eventually move beyond communism and adopt a Western-style democracy. But could China develop a unique form of government based on its own distinct traditions? This book says yes. It sets out a vision for a Confucian constitutional order that offers a compelling alternative to both the status quo in China and to a Western-style liberal democracy. It is the most detailed and systematic work on Confucian constitutionalism to date. The book argues against the democratic view that the consent of the people is the main source of political legitimacy. Instead, it presents a comprehensive way to achieve humane authority based on three sources of political legitimacy, and it derives and defends a proposal for a tricameral legislature that would best represent the Confucian political ideal. The book also puts forward proposals for an institution that would curb the power of parliamentarians and for a symbolic monarch who would embody the historical and transgenerational identity of the state. In the latter section of the book, four leading liberal and socialist Chinese critics critically evaluate the book's theories and the author gives detailed responses to their views. The book provides a new standard for evaluating political progress in China and enriches the dialogue of possibilities available to this rapidly evolving nation

China · Communism · Constitutionalism · Democracy · Ideal (ethics) · Institution · Law and economics · Legislature · Legitimacy · Liberal democracy · Political science · Politics · Power (physics) · Sociology · State (computer science) · Status quo · China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance · Chinese history and philosophy · Law · Confucianism and state · Philosophy · Political and social views · politics and government · Qing Jiang (1953-)

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