Confucianism And Social And Political Interaction

Confucianism always attached importance to the people, and is still pushing the way of “toteach after becoming rich”to running a country. After Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty established aunited imperial dictatorship. During the first seventy years, the population was very small andthe economy was extremely depressed. After“the rule of Wen and Jing Emperor”, in the WuEmperor period, the country developed to the peak prosperity. Its development path accordedwith Confucius political thought，which is called “General”,“Rich”, and “Teach”.Confucianism does not advocate “empty talk” but insists “behave after seeing the act”. TheConfucian scholars during the first seventy years of Han Dynasty practiced benevolence as theirresponsibility and undertook the historic mission of saving the society. They put "to let be rich"and "to teach" as their ambition. They insist doing the right thing at the right time and criticizingthe current social evils in order to lead out of a harmonious and orderly social and politicaldevelopment path.Confucianism became the official school from the Han Dynasty, thus becoming themainstream of Chinese culture which has been stretching two thousand years. After the WesternHan Dynasty, Confucian scholars went into the society and participated to the political systemactively, through the ways of suggestions, writing, devising rules of manners. After long years ofwar, Han Empire was established but at the beginning of the statehood, the social economy wasdepressed, the people were suffering the hardships, and everything was waiting to be done. Inthis current situation, the Western Han Dynasty’s monarch and his subjects were faced with thechoice of ruling the country. In the face of a series of specific social problems, ultimatelyConfucianism and social political became in interaction. After three theme stages which includesconsolidation of foundation, economic development, and social education, the country becameinto a highly civilized and peaceful prosperity successfully during the Wu Emperor period.It is very important for social stability and development that whether the political thoughtand reality governance can combine properly. During the first seventy years of Han Dynasty,Confucian representatives with real ideas and vision, and combining with the profoundunderstanding, continuously put forward constructive political strategy, made the rulersgradually realize the utility of great men of the Confucianism. So that the Confucian politicalthought was applied to the real social politics. Early Han government was open-minded, theemperors and ministers brought order out of chaos, concerned about social and livelihood of thepeople, and actively learned from the Confucianism and draw on experience of managing acountry, so as to promote the interaction between Confucianism and social politics.From Qin Dynasty to Han Dynasty, this period is China’s social and historical transition. Politically, legalist took Confucian for enemies, and used to harsh crackdown on Confucianism.In Han Dynasty, the unification of politics and the autocratic imperial power inherited from QinDynasty constantly tend to perfect. The contradiction between Confucianism and authoritariansystem still existed. In this scenario, the Confucian scholars in line with the concept of the“middle path”, flexible coordination with all aspects of relationship, was always keeping inpace with the times, looking at the global, tirelessly for a harmonious world. The early Hanrulers clearly understood the Confucianism, such as “humane politics”,“Confucianismcombination”,“morality given priority over penalty”and “rich and then teach”, wasindispensable to consolidate power and long-term peace and order. So Han dynasty rulersconsidered Confucianism as orthodoxy. Social politics and culture in the first seventy years ofHan Dynasty are worth thinking over and studying.As for this paper, the author focuses on Confucianism and social interaction research, whichis determined by the characteristics of Confucianism. Confucianism, paying more attention torealistic society, is designed in social governance of learning.Therefore, Confucianism also study social politics in the early Han dynasty, that is to say, it isclosely related to the society. On the basis of harmonious society, heart and family, the coreconcept of Confucianism is “harmony”, which requires the macro and rigorous thought to thesociety development.Throughout the early history of the western Han dynasty, three stages of Confuciuscorrespond to the actual history. There is no doubt that enough the population is a foundation ofthe existence of social regime. After that, the county has to develop social economy, solve theproblem of food, clothing and livelihood, otherwise no stability. Then, it becomes rich andabundant enough, civilization has to be advocated. There is no true prosperity without correctmoral concept and humanistic beliefs. Moral issue is the core of Confucianism and thefundamental problem of Confucian culture. Ancient Chinese thought “images as teaching” wasthe most effective way to advocate humanistic moral. Early Han dynasty advocate “Renai”civilization and vigorously develop the Confucian education career when its national strength isstrong, which eventually become a clear proof of renowned civilization. Confucianism plays aguiding role in the early development of Han dynasty, at the same time the early governancepractices also adversely affect the Confucianism. The process promotes the formation of newConfucianism, which has practical significance for the study of Confucianism with today’s socialdevelopment problem.