Question

How does Confuscianism relate to the perception by Chinese residents of China as democratic?

Answer 1

Chinese Residents perceives Confucianism as much more sophisticated social and political culture than western democracy, and a much more nuanced reflection of the realities of nature and society. Though Democracy and Confucianism are related to each other a little bit, but both are not equivalent and cannot be compared.

In words of Paul Denlinger Confucianism is based on equal opportunity to education. After that, different talent, life experience, work ethic, moral compass, and personal interest drive people to specialize and occupy different niches of the society. The glue that binds the whole society together is Kindness to each other.

Where western democracy believes the people are fundamentally equal, Confucianism recognizes people as fundamentally different. People specialize.