Confucian thought for politics today

By : Choi Yiu

According to Professor Kim Sung-moon, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), very relevant.

One of the awardees for CityU’s Outstanding Research Awards in 2019, Professor Kim researches political issues in South Korea, Hong Kong and other societies of Confucian heritage and has developed theories that, while drawing on the framework of Western political theories, aim to rejuvenate Confucian thought.

Professor Kim Sung-moonTrained in both liberal political theory and Confucian philosophy, he examines the difference in moral reasoning, political engagement and constitutional philosophy between liberalism and Confucianism in the East Asian context, and suggests how Confucian thought may add insight and understanding in making societies in the region better and more just. For example, Professor Kim argues that core values in Confucian ethics, including deep thinking, self-cultivation and mutual respect, bring about political negotiation and compromise.

He points out that while having imported from the West ideas such as freedom, rights and democracy, East Asian societies are still profoundly influenced by Confucianism. The downfall of former South Korean president Park Geun-hye is an example, he argues: “In the West, a president can be removed from office only when he or she violates the law and constitution. In Park’s case, however, there was an additional issue that galvanised South Korean civil society, leading to her impeachment. For South Koreans, the fact that she critically violated people’s trust as well as values such as sympathy, benevolence, and sincerity, which are highly valued in Confucianism, was as important as her legal violations.

In Professor Kim’s view, Hong Kong politics is not entirely insulated from the influence of Confucianism, though not to the same extent as in South Korea. Nevertheless, Professor Kim suggests that “rejuvenating” Confucianism may provide a valuable way to find solutions to social and political problems. Professor Kim says, “If both the government and civil society adopt values such as deep thinking, self-cultivation and mutual respect, we might be able to avoid a stalemate. Often a political stalemate results from self-righteousness and it can easily develop into a violent situation.”

“If both the government and civil society adopt values such as deep thinking, self-cultivation and mutual respect, we might be able to avoid a stalemate.” One of his suggestions for invoking ancient Confucius practices could be to create an institution within the government where young “remonstrators” can freely express their political views and concerns, following the censorial system in China’s Ming Dynasty.

“Young people are fresh-minded and not so socially conservative. They keep closer tabs on evolving public sentiment. Institutionalising such an organ would not only help them to understand the complexity of public decision-making but also make the government more accountable to the public,” says Professor Kim.

Since joining CityU in 2009, Professor Kim has conducted his research in various areas including Confucian democratic and constitutional theory, comparative political theory, and the history of East Asian political thought.

“I feel greatly appreciated and proud to be awarded the Outstanding Research Award. This shows that the University respects the liberal arts, humanities and social sciences. A lot of academics in CLASS are doing highly innovative work. The award encourages us to do better,” he says.