Chenyang Li, Confucian Value and Democratic Value

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Chenyang Li, Confucian Value and Democratic
Value
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Procedural vs. substantial interpretations of
democracy

• Procedural interpretation democracy is majority
  rule (or a voting procedure such as that in the
  U.S. Constitution, or in a parliamentary system,
  etc.)
• Substantial interpretation democracy implies a
  set of values
• liberal
• republican

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Fundamental conflicts between democracy and
Confucianism

• Rights
• Duty vs. liberty
• Loyalty vs. liberty
• Equality vs. ideal of gentleman
• Unity vs. plurality

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Possible Resolutions

• 1. Confucianism without democracy
• 2. democracy without Confucianism
• 3. Confucianism minus its undemocratic values
• 4. Peaceful coexistence of Confucianism, Taoism,
  Buddhism, and democracy