Confucianism, with its emphasis on virtue and social harmony, served as the foundation of Chinese civilization for over two thousand years. The teachings of the famous Chinese sage had an impact on every aspect of Chinese life and social structure and ultimately spread and flourished throughout East Asia. Confucianism’s prominence in Chinese culture was shattered during the twentieth century as reformers and revolutionaries labeled the ancient sage an outdated relic preventing China from becoming a strong, modern State. China’s great philosopher is experiencing a revival in China today. President Xi Jinping routinely promotes some of Confucius’s ideas in an attempt to resurrect traditional culture as a bulwark against unwanted foreign influence. Ordinary Chinese are revisiting Confucius’s teachings and enrolling their children into Confucian schools.
In his new book, Confucius and the World He Created, Michael Schuman notes that the unprecedented resurgence of Confucianism may be one of the most significant trends in Chinese politics and culture. Will Confucius’s doctrine become a tool to solidify authoritarianism in China, as it was during the country’s imperial era? How do the 21st century versions of Confucianism compare to earlier understanding of his ideas? Is Confucian humanist thought just what a rapidly changing Chinese society needs? Michael Schuman addressed these questions and discussed his book in an interview with National Committee Senior Director for Education Programs Margot Landman on February 2, 2016, in New York City.
Michael Schuman is a Beijing-based journalist with over 20 years of experience writing about Asia and the global economy. He has served as a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and TIME magazine. He is also the author of The Miracle: The Epic Story of Asia’s Quest for Wealth (2009).