A Democratic Theory Of Liang Shu-ming And Its Development

Since 19th century, the political value system and restructuring of theConfucianism in china has collapsed. However, some intellectuals called"Neo-Confucianism"want to reconstruct the legitimacy of the traditional politics inchina. Liang Shu-ming and his adherents such as Zhang Jun-mai, Mou Zong-san, XuFu-guan and Tang Jun-yi advance the Confucianism, in order to adapt the Chinesemodernization.This thesis is called"A Democratic Theory of Liang Shu-ming and itsDevelopment". I want to consider Liang's democratic theory, including theconception, rationale, character of democratic and its influence. My purpose istrying to comment the relationship between Chinese construction of democracy andits theories.Liang Shu-ming is identified as a founder of Neo-Confucianism, which has itsespecial historical environment. Chinese society has deeply transformed from 1895to 1919. The Republic of China overthrows the Qing Dynasty, and constitutes amodern government. In the meantime, the modern theory of politics has afferent inchina. A lot of intellectuals apply themselves to enlighten Chinese people. Theyconsider that"Democracy"and"Science"are the keys to solve Chinese dilemma,and depreciate Chinese traditional culture, especially the Confucianism. But LiangShu-ming indicates that the Confucianism could reform and it could acclimatizeoneself to modern china too. Chinese political innovation must depend on its ownculture. The construction of democracy in china needs Confucianism. In the sametime, the Confucianism should be reform by the modern philosophy and politics.Liang Shu-ming is interesting in democracy when he was a youth. However, heopposes pragmatism, instrumentalism, and identifies with the Lebensphilosophie. He is also a Buddhist, a Confucian. These knowledge construct his ideology andspirit. He considers that there are two issues in china which restrict its democraticdevelopment. Chinese people have little desire to pursue democracy. Chinese societyhas little energy to construct democratic activities."The democracy is a kind ofspirit."he said. It needs us to possess independent personality, equality, rationalityand the rules of democracy. These essentials could not be achieved in Chinese urban.So he put his attention to Chinese village. In his opinion, China will be constructedby a new model of democracy: it both accords with Chinese spirit and democraticorder. He wants to build a new social organizations, it advocates truth, regardspublic opinion. The nation respects its people; the people show their obeisance to thenation. Etiquette and custom of Confucianism is the base of our community.Liang Shu-ming's democratic theory is developed by four Confucians. Theyagree with Liang's radical view, but modify some details. Zhang Jun-mai'sdemocratic theory is better than Liang's because of it accommodate Chinese realcircumstances. Mou Zong-san has innovated the conception of rationality, it accordswith modern philosophy. Xu Fu-guan applies himself to investigate intellectualhistory of Confucianism, his conception is much better than Liang's. Tang Jun-yiwould rather construct a Confucianism utopia than establish an absolute democraticcommunity. Anyway, the Neo-Confucianism's democratic theory has become animportant theory of Chinese thought system. However, it has own limitations. Theyunderstand wrongly about the concept of democracy and its logic. They mix upmorality and politics; it is a misunderstanding about modern common lives. In spiteof this, the Neo-Confucianism still has an important station in the history of Chinesepolitical thought. At the present time, it has lots of advocators not only in china butalso all over the world.