Relegitimizing the Chinese Party-State: "Old" Sources of Modern Chinese Party Power

Abstract

This article discusses the recent renaissance of political Confucianism under the fourth and fifth generations of Chinese political leaders. By conducting a context-sensitive analysis of references to pre-modern state philosophy and political symbolism in official political statements, it argues that the seemingly "Confucian" turn in Chinese politics should rather be interpreted as a strategic element of the PRC's ongoing legitimation campaign and its leaders' quest to consolidate the power of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). While philosophical reflections and popular Confucianism are flourishing all over the country, political Confucianism as operationalized by the CCP remains clearly restricted to moral aspects of political rule and thus mainly defines abstract principles of good governance and harmonious order. Structural Confucianism as developed by Jiang Qing has so far not been included into the party's official (administrative) reform agenda.