Harmonious World Research Articles

Confucian pluralism and China’s dream of a harmonious world

This article will critique three aspects of the conservative re-sacralization project deemed incongruent with China’s dream of a harmonious world. The first pertains to the prevailing Han-centric rendition of the Confucian tradition. Rebuttals are made in support of an emerging multicultural ‘global Confucianism’, an international movement that would further the Chinese quest for a universal ethical order. The next criticism relates to the proposal by conservatives for a Confucian church and the installation of Confucianism as China’s state religion. In response, counterarguments are advanced for the re-institution of ‘civil Confucianism’. One key issue is whether scholar-officials or clerics can restore a more holistic, pluralistic re-enchanted China. The final contention addresses the conservative melancholic Hobbesian worldview. The Confucian vision, I explain, is essentially sanguine and the clash of civilizations not inevitable. Moreover, China and the United States share core values for both to jointly sustain a harmonious world.

‘THE CROSSING OF LOVE’: THE INOPERATIVE COMMUNITY AND ROMANTIC LOVE IN FERIDUN ZAIMOGLU’S ‘FÜNF KLOPFENDE HERZEN, WENN DIE LIEBE SPRINGT’ AND HINTERLAND

ABSTRACTIn the short story ‘Fünf klopfende Herzen, wenn die Liebe springt’ (2004) and the novel Hinterland (2009), Feridun Zaimoglu engages with cosmopolitanism and German Romanticism – both characteristic themes of his more recent fiction. A dialogue between the ideas of love presented by Jean‐Luc Nancy and the Romantics Fr. Schlegel, Novalis and Kleist can illuminate the non‐identitarian nature of Zaimoglu's cosmopolitanism, suggesting a radical openness to the future and an ontological interrelatedness in line with Nancy's ‘communauté désœuvrée’ (‘inoperative community’), rather than a new cosmopolitan identity with its own moral code. Just as the Romantics invested in the power of love to create a harmonious world, love is equally important for Nancy in that it renders the inoperative community more accessible to us. This understanding of cosmopolitanism can be glimpsed in ‘Fünf klopfende Herzen’, in which falling in love presents the protagonist with the radical possibilities brought about by the interconnected nature of being. Similarly, in Hinterland, in which transnational sensibilities create a cosmopolitan web across Europe, it is implied that being‐with is not subordinate to being‐one. Zaimoglu's engagement with the Brothers Grimm and the more nationalist aspects of Romanticism also requires close scrutiny, and can be illuminated by an appeal to Nancy's concepts of ‘myth’ and ‘literature’.

Teorier om fred og harmoni: viden, magt og kontroversen om Kinas opstigning

This article maps the emergence and development of Chinese discourses about China’s rise in international politics. It examines how the production of knowledge, particularly theories on international relations and grand strategy, develop in their travels between the scienti c and political as well as the international and national. Taking its point of departure in the sociology of science, the article sets out to understand the interplay between social, political, and intellectual conditions for knowledge production in today’s Interna- tional Relations (IR) research in China. Contrary to the conventional notion that Chinese social science is determined by political preferences, the paper argues 1) that the ideal of (pure) science and (dirty) politics as two separate spheres is di cult to sustain in the empirical analysis of knowledge production (in China and elsewhere) and 2) that more often than not important policy ideas and theories, such ‘Peaceful Rise’, the ‘Chinese School’ or ‘Harmonious World’ have emerged from a productive relationship between science and politics. e analysis of Chinese IR discourse shows that Chinese scholars and experts might play a more in uential role in the formulation of foreign policy concepts than usually assumed.

Transdisciplinary technology education: a characterisation and some ideas for implementation in the university

This paper concerns transdisciplinarity as an educational and research strategy in technological higher education. The starting point of the article will be a synthetic analysis of the nature and demands faced by the university in our complex world, and the models of knowledge that could be activated, developed, and operationalised within it. Emerging traits in transdisciplinary processes are presented, as well as some of their impacts and effects on people, communities and the university. Also described are the challenges and difficulties that can arise in the implementation of transdisciplinarity in polytechnic universities and some strategies to face them. Finally the paper ends with a reflection regarding the link between some of humanity's problems faced from a transdisciplinary perspective and some values pointing towards the building of a world of harmony and awareness.

Building a 'Harmonious World': A Mission Impossible?

In September 2005, President Hu Jintao called for a 'harmonious world' at the summit for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Following his call, the Chinese government issued a white paper on China's peaceful development road, in which 'building a harmonious world' is valued as the 'lofty goal' in taking the path of 'peaceful development'. In the latest Five-Year
 Plan (2011–2015), Chinese foreign policy continues to hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation and to build a harmonious world featured by enduring peace and common prosperity together with other countries in the world. This article will examine the doctrine of 'harmonious world' to see whether it is practical in conducting international relations between China and the rest of the world and how China should adjust its foreign policy thinking to better cope with the more complicated world. It is timely and meaningful to discuss the topic at the time when China changes its leadership.1

China’s Energy Diplomacy and Its “Peaceful Rise” Ambition: The Cases of Sudan and Iran

China has underscored its intention for peaceful development with the vision for a “harmonious world.” But at the same time China is keen to play a more proactive role in the international rule-making process, addressing its dissatisfaction with the existing international system. This article examines whether China’s energy diplomacy vis-a-vis Sudan and Iran has helped or hindered its ambition for peaceful development. China’s dealings with Sudan have departed from its long-standing principle of non-interference in internal affairs to one of active intervention, a change intended to help build China’s image as a “responsible power.” China has also demonstrated its ambition and determination to play a more assertive role in dealing with Iran’s nuclear crisis to facilitate safeguarding China’s energy and economic interests. Yet Beijing has been willing to sacrifice its energy interests when necessary in order to be perceived as a responsible stakeholder within the current international establishment. While it might be natural for China to aspire to a more active international role that befits its economic status, China’s objective of building a harmonious world and its peaceful rise ambition will remain unattainable dreams unless Beijing is prepared to accept some universal principles to guide its energy diplomacy.

China's quest for global order: from peaceful rise to harmonious world

Preface Acknowledgments 1.Introduction: China's Rise to Harmonious Outlook 2.Harmony and Humane Governance in Classical Chinese Thought 3.Empire and Frontiers: The Limits of Harmony 4.How Peaceful is China's Rise? 5.Confucian Geopolitics and Global Governance 6. Transforming World Disorder: Scenarios for the Future 7. Conclusion: Towards a Balanced China Appendix 1: Chronology of Harmonious Discourse Appendix 2: Glossary of Chinese Terms Appendix 3: Summary of Hu Jintao's UN Speeches, 2005 and 2009 Bibliography Index About the Authors

A grande estratégia Chinesa e os BRICS

Após mais de trinta anos de reforma e abertura, a China enfrenta desafios cada vez maiores para manter seu desenvolvimento sustentável e para definir sua posição no cenário mundial. O resto do mundo, por sua vez, está adaptando suas estratégias diante da ascensão chinesa. Assim, a China encontra-se perante a necessidade de construir uma relação favorável com o exterior. É nesse contexto que o país avança uma estratégia de desenvolvimento pacífico e uma visão de mundo harmoniosa com o objetivo de assegurar a seus parceiros suas boas intenções. Nesse processo, a China valoriza a cooperação entre países emergentes, notadamente com os países BRICS. Comparado ao modelo desigual de interação do G8+5, os BRICS oferecem uma plataforma independente para potências emergentes trabalharem como um grupo no âmbito do atual sistema internacional. A China considera os países BRICS parceiros estratégicos para o desenvolvimento, pares com opiniões compartilhadas sobre os assuntos mundiais e novas forças em prol da reforma do sistema internacional. Conquanto aposte no futuro dos BRICS, permanece consciente das diferenças e cautelas existentes entre os membros. Como sua grande estratégia é de ascensão pacífica e construtiva, a China entende os BRICS como uma força internacional progressiva e cooperativa, e não como uma força coletiva de bloqueio.

Revitalisasi Keharmonisan Dunia (Menilik Relevansi Antara Moral, Agama, dan Bencana)

The existence of the world is getting older impact to the vulnerability of natural structure that ultimately ended the catastrophic events known. But, consciously or not, natural disasters are not always started from the already fragile condition of the world, but it was related to human intervention in the process. Morality is the basic for the creation of a harmony, not only between man and man but a man by nature, started to abandoned and forgotten, made worse by the existence of religion is often only seen as mere appendages identity. Impact, the stability of the world that has been designed in such a way by God became unstable and fragile, that lead to the occurrence of damage and natural disasters. In order to repair and restore the world's harmony, people are required to understand the values of morality and the nature of religion, because it should be the value of morality and religion become the main reference in behaving.

Chinese Cultural Resources in Building a Harmonious World—A Review on the Exploring Achievements Made by Chinese Senior Scholars

Chinese Cultural Resources in Building a Harmonious World—A Review on the Exploring Achievements Made by Chinese Senior Scholars

China's Perception of Risk and the Concept of Comprehensive National Power

This article approaches the concept of risk from a Chinese perspective and traces its evolution throughout the history of Chinese thought, from the classics to the present. It analyzes underlying elements that have given rise to its current form, in comparison with elements of the same concept in the West, and describes how the perception of risk has helped shape the guidelines of China's ongoing transformation, as in the case of 'peaceful development' and a 'harmonious world'. It identifies the main domestic and foreign risks that threaten the sustainability of China's development, and discusses the concept of 'comprehensive national power'.

On the Historical Development of Confucianists’ Moral Ideas and Moral Education

The Confucian ethics which is the main body of the Chinese traditional culture has established its “basic morality” or “mother morality” not only in China, but also in some of the Asian countries. It is formed in the long historical development of more than 2000 years. First of all, it had the contention of a hundred schools of thought in the Pre-Qin Dynasty, and the Confucianist thought with its own colors was formed at that time. When Dong Zhongshu made his suggestions that restrained all other schools but only respected Confucianism, the predominance of Confucianism over the political life had been defined in Chinese society. After the later generations’ cooperating thing of diverse nature with unity of opposites, it was developed into the idealist philosophy of the Song (960 -1279) and Ming (1368-1644). Dynasties, which combined Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. The critical development of the modern Chinese society to Confucianist thought made us scholars have a timely reflection on the Confucian ethics. The requirement of constructing a harmonious world in the present time made us further considerate the moral education with Confucianist ethics.

Between Core National Interest and a Harmonious World: Reconciling Self-role Conceptions in Chinese Foreign Policy

Why and how can historical cases support different assessments of China rising with respect to the possibility of its becoming China threat? Rationalists and strategic culture analysts, who predominantly look at China from an external position, debate the influence of power, strategic cultures, and identities in explaining this highly controversial question. We, however, develop an internal view from the standpoint of a China looking out, which argues that different sources of Chinese self-role concepts could yield different policy behaviour. We analyse two discourses on Chinese foreign policy that have emerged in the 21st century—core national interest and harmonious world. We then introduce the dialectic approach of harmonious realism wherein indecisiveness is the essential characteristic. It is failure to decide on the specific purpose of Chinese foreign policy that creates China’s self-role conflict. Harmonious disciplining, balance, racism, and intervention are the practical forms of China’s harmonious realism through which the contemporary case analysis explains the forms, actual policy, and behavioural consequences of China’s self-role conflict.

Video Conferencing in Arbitration: An Overview

Video Conference as an empirical science always shows that truth is stronger than fiction. This focus on video conferencing is chosen in the belief that law as an art and science should grow by accretion. In the spirit of this work one envisages that arbitration by video conferencing will turn out to be an important engine of development, peace and unity of the now global village. At the point when video conferencing is made as common or affordable as the mobile phone, there will be “a globalization in solidarity, a globalization without marginalization'. It is at this point that the real picture of justice will start to emerge to all classes of people. From this point, person or nation can see what others see, enjoy watch others enjoy in some directly proportional way. The end result will then be harmonious human relationships at all levels.The caution sign is that every member of the global village arrangement should be just, equitable, fair and honest to each other. The words should be 'love thy neighbor as thyself'. This is to avoid the previous and still existing consequences of slavery, colonization and neo-colonialism. Let 'globalization not be the next stage of the listed three.For a harmonious embryonic world using the internet, the solution is rock bottom rate of internet access. This will make it possible for all to feel affiliated and there will be cohesion. Surely this will place human beings at the centre of events.

Promoting Global Initiatives and Cross-cultural Understanding in China

We have much to learn from one another as individuals committed to high standards in education and as we collectively strive for the creation of a harmonious world with equitable, sustainable devel...

China in Southeast Asia: The Search for a Chinese Model of International Relations

Despite China’s claims of a foreign policy of ‘peaceful rise’/‘peaceful development’ and of seeking a ‘harmonious world’, and despite its economic openness and active participation in economic multilateralism, China’s neighbours continue to be concerned about the overall direction and intent of Beijing’s security policies. These concerns are particularly heightened by China’s rapid military modernization of the past couple of decades. The announcement in 2010 that China considered its territorial claims in the South China Sea a ‘core interest’, can be seen as a setback to its regional diplomacy, so diligently crafted over the years and drove its Southeast Asian neighbours to seek closer engagement with the US. This article argues that the contradictions evident in China’s neighbourhood foreign policy reflect its continuing search for a model of international relations that can balance its domestic interests such as the need for political stability, including regime stability, on the one hand and its external ambitions for a decisive role in regional affairs, on the other.

China’s Strategic Futures

Abstract This essay examines how China’s “harmonious world” foreign policy has unintentionally created opportunities for citizens to challenge elite discussions of foreign policy. Although they are relative outsiders, the essay argues that citizen intellectuals are a growing influence as a source of ideas about China’s future—and the world’s.

Remodelling the Global Development Landscape: the China Model and South–South cooperation in Latin America

China's explosive growth and growing international influence have prompted policy makers and scholars to question how that country will reshape the global development landscape. While Western observers have used the concept of the China Model to describe China's development strategies and the potential threat they pose to Western liberal traditions, Chinese policy makers have promoted South–South cooperation to emphasise China's goal of a harmonious world order based on nation-state sovereignty and mutual benefits. This article explores these two competing organising principles with a focus on how each concept frames global development politics and China's relations with its development partners. Drawing on ethnographic research on China's new relationship with Costa Rica, I examine the assumptions and effects of these concepts in terms of how they shape specific development encounters. These examples suggest the intransigence of historical development inequalities and identities, which both support and limit China's global impact in significant ways.

Space for the future: Exhibiting China in the world at the Shanghai Expo

China’s modernization and rise is commonly understood as a key factor that will shape future world order. This article examines narratives at Expo 2010 Shanghai China as an instance of the local constitution of this future world. Such imaginations of China and/in the world actively create the future, through assumptions about time and space that structure the possible imaginations of China, the World, and their interrelation. This article examines how the technological and conceptual innovations that play out at the Expo draw on two common cosmologies, the ‘unit-based’ cosmology of the international state system and a Chinese ‘holistic’ imaginary of tianxia (all-under-heaven). It shows how these two cosmologies order universal/particular, time/space, and self/other through Beijing’s ‘harmonious world’ policy. It argues that the two cosmologies are not mutually exclusive, but are deployed at the Expo in ways that reinforce one another by ordering spatial difference through teleological time. The effect is a story of China and the World where others are not different; they are just behind. This is a problem because the reduction of spatial difference to place in a historical queue makes it difficult to imagine plural futures, as opposed to The Future already inscribed in the story.

World Harmony or an Athletic ‘Clash of Civilizations’? The Beijing Olympic Spectacle, BMX Bicycles and the American Contours of Globalisation

In spite of rhetorical flourishes concerning world harmony, from US vantages the 2008 Beijing Olympics represented an episode in the ‘clash of civilisations’ between an American-led ‘Occident’ and China's ‘Confucian’ civilisation. The US media and public tend to see the Olympics through Samuel Huntington's combative interpretation of world affairs rather than as a pacific transnational partnership. The Chinese tendency to count medals to guarantee China's triumph indicates that many Chinese shared in that habit. Americans often see globalisation as an opportunity for Americanisation. Seeking through sport the cultural transformation of China and the rest of the world represents an old habit in US culture. From American viewpoints, the inclusion of new action sports in the Olympics has multiplied opportunities for Americanising the globe. In the Olympic debut of BMX cycling, Americans perceived that in spite of Chinese successes in Beijing the Olympics ultimately spurred the extension of US hegemony.