Jiang Qing
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691154602
- eISBN:
- 9781400844845
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691154602.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter discusses Western-style democracy. Although democracy—more specifically, a form of government that grants ultimate controlling power to democratically elected representatives—is built on ...
More
This chapter discusses Western-style democracy. Although democracy—more specifically, a form of government that grants ultimate controlling power to democratically elected representatives—is built on the separation of powers, the separation is a matter of implementation rather than legitimization. In a democracy, legitimacy is based on the sovereignty of the people. However, the chapter objects to the idea that there is only one source of legitimacy; one political alternative is the Confucian Way of the Humane Authority. According to the Gongyang Commentary, political power must have three kinds of legitimacy—that of heaven, earth, and the human—for it to be justified. All three forms of legitimacy must be in equilibrium, but the chapter notes that the equilibrium is not one of equality.Less
This chapter discusses Western-style democracy. Although democracy—more specifically, a form of government that grants ultimate controlling power to democratically elected representatives—is built on the separation of powers, the separation is a matter of implementation rather than legitimization. In a democracy, legitimacy is based on the sovereignty of the people. However, the chapter objects to the idea that there is only one source of legitimacy; one political alternative is the Confucian Way of the Humane Authority. According to the Gongyang Commentary, political power must have three kinds of legitimacy—that of heaven, earth, and the human—for it to be justified. All three forms of legitimacy must be in equilibrium, but the chapter notes that the equilibrium is not one of equality.
Jiang Qing
Daniel A. Bell and Ruiping Fan (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691154602
- eISBN:
- 9781400844845
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691154602.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
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 ...
More
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.Less
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.
