Confucius and the World He Created

As China rises to superpower status, the country is challenging
the United States not just economically and politically– but also
ideologically. Its leadership is asserting its own political and
economic model as an alternative to American-style democracy and
capitalism– one Beijing believes is based on its own non-Western
traditions.

The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius is, according to Michael Schuman’s new book, Confucius and the World He Created,
critical to China’s political agenda today. The Chinese Communist Party
is reviving Confucius as an attempt to legitimize its authoritarian
rule by linking it to the country’s political history. Confucius, they
believe, can also act as a bulwark against dangerous democratic ideals
from the West. Whether or not this Confucian campaign succeeds will have
huge implications for China’s political future, its role in the world,
and Beijing-Washington relations.

We spoke with journalist and author Michael Shuman, along with Hua
Hsu and John Bussey, on the steps it will take for Americans to contend
with China in an ever-shifting world.