Confucius in Congress

The US House of Representatives filed a resolution (H. Res. 784) on September 29 honoring the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius. I'm really not sure of the politics here, but it would seem, to me, that this has something to do with showing respect for Chinese-American voters in various constituencies. 

Is this a soft power victory for the PRC?  Perhaps.  But, as I have argued before (here and here), it is not at all clear that Confucianism can be made to serve exclusively nationalist purposes.  Of course, historically, Confucianism was combined with Legalism to function as an ideology of state power in China.  But the danger for nationalists is that Confucianism contains an imminent critique of power and power-holders.  That is why, for example, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, decreed that this line from Mencius be deleted: 

The people are the most elevated, next comes the state, the sovereign comes last.

But excising this line hardly saves the apologist who is searching for a historically distorted nationalist narrative or a rationalization for established power structures.  The entire text of Mencius is an extended critique of wrong-headed and immoral leaders.

So, members of Congress should take this resolution seriously and consider what Confucius and Mencius might have to say about their own behavior.  It would not be pretty...

Full text of the resolution here for your consideration:

Resolution

Honoring the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius and recognizing his invaluable contributions to philosophy and social and political thought.

Whereas September 28, 551 B.C., is recognized as the date on which Confucius was born in the town of Qufu, in what is now the Shandong Province of China;

Whereas Confucius, who is one of the greatest thinkers, teachers, and social philosophers in history, developed a philosophy that has deeply influenced, and continues to influence, the social and political thought of countries around the world, including China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam;

Whereas Confucius counseled introspection, self-cultivation, sincerity, and the observance of respect within social relationships as a means of achieving justice and attaining morality in personal and public life, reflecting a moral fiber of the highest degree;

Whereas the teaching of Confucius that `what one does not wish for oneself, one ought not to do to anyone else; what one recognizes as desirable for oneself, one ought to be willing to grant to others' is a model for ethical behavior and for the promotion of harmony among us;

Whereas Confucius taught that an ideal government is founded upon loyalty, respect for elders, and recognition of the importance of family; and Whereas Confucius taught that politicians must be models of truthfulness and morality, which serves as a reminder to all of our duty to serve with the utmost honor and respect: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius and recognizes his invaluable contributions to philosophy and social and political thought.

Comments

[isha]

Can any institution that consists of the following members confer prestige to Confucius? I doubt it and too bad the old gentleman Mr. Kong can't raise from his grave and protest ...))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgbBP9Em00A&feature=related

Joking aside, Al Green is at least literate. I know it because I helped to collect money for him way before he is a congressman. I was in the backroom. I know the game they are playing and it smells...

...`what one does not wish for oneself, one ought not to do to anyone else’

Translate it into modern English," Don't invade other country if you don't want to be invaded..."

Didn’t the said institution finance the Iraqi war?

What would Mr. Kong say about that?

[cas]

wha???

Are you serious... oh my you are..

I can't even comment on this since it crosses over to the absurd pretty quickly.

Too funny I am laughing my arse off on this one Sam.

I wish Jon would catch this on the daily show...

*shakes my head*

[Stuart Karaffa]

I just found this blog and I really enjoy it. Right now I'm a student in East Asian Studies and Political Science, so it's been quite refreshing to read something that combines the two so well.

In regard to this post, I believe that this move by Congress was indeed political, but more so in a foreign policy sense. Not only has the Obama administration been calling for a more respectful approach to international affairs, but also Mr. Obama will be visiting China in mid-November. As the U.S. and China have recently been involved in trade and climate disagreements, a non-binding resolution paying homage to one of the most revered figures in Chinese history should do well to pave the way for any level visit.

Also, despite the fact that non-binding resolutions have no legal implications, they have been used in the past to produce lasting effects in the foreign policy arena. The comfort women and Armenian genocide condemnation are both good examples.

[isha]

http://www.hartfuel.com/0908/f.bridginggap.html

Favor has to be paid,s omewhere, somehow ... politicans usually prefer to pay favors by other people's money, or lives ...

http://wejew.com/media/5743/Congressman_-_There_is_a_Real_Opportunity_for_Peace/

welcome to reality