Where Does Confucian Virtuous Leadership Stand?

Abstract

For over decade Daniel Bell has been pioneer in study of democracy and human rights in an East Asian context. His remarkable book Beyond Liberal Democracy: Political Thinking for an East Asian Context elevates his research to new level. This new volume offers critical examination of uniquely parochial Western liberal democracy, which has been promoted in various parts of world as universally valid regardless of local conditions. Based on his years of firsthand experience and personal knowledge of East Asian societies, Bell proposes rather ambitious alternative model of democracy that would be suitable to cultural setting where there is long history of Confucian influence. Chapter 6, Taking Elitism Seriously: Democracy with Confucian Characteristics/' is probably most exciting and provocative part of book. In it Bell argues for taking seriously not just one but two important values, namely democracy and political elitism. Confucian political elitism is defined as rule of wise. It exemplifies ideal that the best and brightest should exert more influence in order to build good society. On one hand, this kind of political elitism may be particularly appropriate for today's societies; on other, Bell argues, there is an equally profound need to institutionalize democratic virtues of accountability, transparency, and equal political participation. Balancing these two considerations leads Bell to propose his version of modern Confucian democracy. Specifically, this would involve establishment of a bicameral legislature, with democratically elected lower house and 'Confucian' upper house composed of representatives selected on basis of competitive examinations (pp. 1 65-166). The upper house would decide on policies by means of majority vote following open and public deliberation. When upper and lower houses disagree, Bell seems uncommitted as to which house should have final word. Anticipating obvious challenge, he proposes that deputies from upper house be selected through an examination mechanism rooted in Chinese culture. Such an examination would be designed to single out most desired traits in candidate. This idea of bicameral legislature is intriguing, to say least. It is arguable that if United States had such system, Congress might not have given its approval to disastrous war in Iraq. As Phil Donahue's recent film Body of War shows, when call to war in Iraq was brought to vote on floor of Congress, Bush administration timed debate so that vote would take place just prior to November election (the vote in U.S. Senate took place on October 11, 2002). Facing very angry post-9/1 1 nation, both houses were under tremendous pressure to support war. It can be argued that if members of Congress in one of two chambers had been selected through knowledge-based examination process rather than by popular vote, these members would have been less likely to