Marxism and Confucianism in China

Abstract

The case of Marxism in China is unique in that Marxists won control of the state and Marxist ideology has been, officially at least, the official ideology of the government since 1949. Cui Wenxing’s contribution to this volume shows that even here, where one might expect that there fewer pragmatic political grounds for seeking any kind of rapprochement with alternative ideologies, the ruling ideology has, throughout its history, been shaped by its relationship with Confucianism. The dynamics of this are themselves subject to various kinds of explanation. Perhaps Confucianism persists because it is not really like other religions—it offers no deity, has no church authorities as such—but is rather a kind of folk philosophy entwined in Chinese social mores and habits of mind. In that case, Marxism fits because it resonates with the ancient wisdom. In more Marxist terms, Confucian values, of harmony, oneness with nature and social equality, represent ways of communicating government policy that ensure relevance and acceptance by the population. Viewed in this way, periods of contradiction and conflict within Chinese society can be traced through variations and shifts of emphasis in the government’s relationship with Confucianism.