Against Political Equality: The Confucian Case

The Princeton-China Series

by Tongdong Bai

How a hybrid Confucian-engendered form of governance might solve today's political problems

What might a viable political alternative to liberal democracy look like? In Against Political Equality, Tongdong Bai offers a possibility inspired by Confucian ideas.

Bai argues that domestic governance influenced by Confucianism can embrace the liberal aspects of democracy along with the democratic ideas of equal opportunities and governmental accountability to the people. But Confucianism would give more political decision-making power to those with the moral, practical, and intellectual capabilities of caring for the people. While most democratic thinkers still focus on strengthening equality to cure the ills of democracy, the proposed hybrid regime--made up of Confucian-inspired meritocratic characteristics combined with democratic elements and a quasi-liberal system of laws and rights--recognizes that egalitarian qualities sometimes conflict with good governance and the protection of liberties, and defends liberal aspects by restricting democratic ones. Bai applies his views to the international realm by supporting a hierarchical order based on how humane each state is toward its own and other peoples, and on the principle of international interventions whereby humane responsibilities override sovereignty.

Exploring the deficiencies posed by many liberal democracies, Against Political Equality presents a novel Confucian-engendered alternative for solving today's political problems.

Genres: China, Politics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Political Science, Academic

344 pages, Hardcover

Published December 24, 2019

Reviews

[Russell Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sprawling, provocative book, a worthy addition to the large (and ever-increasing) literature out there on possible Confucian (or, in some ways, just simply and more accurately the Chinese) alternative of Western political forms: liberal equality, representative democracy, civil rights, and more. The defenders of Confucian alternatives--or sometimes just supplements or correctives--to these mostly Western forms which dominate the modern, industrialized, and (partly) democratized world range from those focusing on purely personal, civic matters (like the way secular liberal societies often fail to constrain rampant individualism, and how contemporary Confucian social orders wouldn't have the same flaws), to those focusing on institutional, governmental matters (like the creation of an elite, merit-based "house of scholars," to balance out the popular demands represented in normal democratic legislatures). Bai, however, does both, in great detail. I am not persuaded by many of his arguments--not, I think, because I reject Confucian supplements or alternatives to our system (I am pretty communitarian, after all!), but most because his framing his arguments presumes an easy modernity to Confucianism, a seamlessness with which it could presumably be inserted in modern arguments about government. I think his justification for this seamlessness between today's civic spaces and those that existed over 2500 years ago in China is weak, and I think his failure to address just how urban modernity differs from the world of Confucian ritual ordering doesn't help his otherwise often fascinating and insightful claims. Anyway, more here.

[Lia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a Justice and International Affairs philosophy course. While it was fascinating to learn about China and Confucianism, and I loved the idea of compassion as a binding principle for a society, I could not ultimately agree with where the author was taking his case (in a hierarchical direction). I would need to read over the whole book to understand exactly what that case was beyond the chapters we read for class, and to put together my argument against it, though. I would actually like to spend more time with this book and read the whole thing (maybe over the summer, or after I get my degrees).

Probably worth a read for people interested in culture, political science, history, philosophy, etc.

[Cal Davie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was beautifully written. Whether you have a good grasp of political philosophy, or just a basic understanding, the depth of thought in this work is truly refreshing.

I never considered any political thought other than Western, which although is natural, is so restricting as there is a whole world with other ideas out there! Bai writes in defence of the ideal of the meritocracy, rather than democracy. Although the opportunity should be open for all, the actual ability to make political decisions should be left to those skilled to do so. These unelected elites still work for the good of the people, and Bai argues that a hybrid regime with some form of voting would enable the system to adopt some of the positive aspects of democracy.

What I love is that Bai's use of Confucian thought as the basis of political philosophy is richly driven by values. Rather than the West in which the individual is the highest value, family, compassion and duty are of high regard! When Bai formulates a Confucian basis of rights, they are all to do with duty.

Now I'm not suggesting we start a Confucian political party, but I am so excited with what I've learnt. It's truly helped me to view the political landscape in a whole new and fresh way.