China is among the leading economies and modernized nations in the world. Was Confucianism an impediment or a stimulus to China's modernization? Although most scholars perceive Confucianism as a stimulus to China's modernization, some believe that it impeded economic development. The Confucianism culture undoubtedly played a role in determining the modernization of China (Unger, 2016).
Several prominent historians, such as Yu Yingshi believe Confucianism was a stimulus to China's modernization (Weiming, 2017). This viewpoint was favored by late twentieth-century historians and scientists who were trying to explain the cultural values associated with the 1980s and 90s East Asian economies (King, 2018). In essence, the Confucian ethic contributed to the success of business enterprises such as the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). China is now highly modernized, and this can be attributed to its unique cultural imprint. The nature of the Confucianism culture is, therefore, a decisive factor when it comes to capitalism and modernization.
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However, Talcott Parsons, John K. Fairbank and most of the Post World-War II specialists view Confucianism as an impediment of China's modernization. The Confucian static traditional values prevented change, thus associated with China's failure in the nineteenth century. During this time, China failed to react responsively to the Western Nations' presence because of the centrality of cultural determinism (Zurndorfer, 2018). Therefore, they view Confucianism as an impediment to development in China and the East Asian economies. In contrary, there were successful business dynasties in China even during this period.
To conclude, Confucianism was a stimulus to China's sensational modernization. Specifically, the Confucian ethic helped the 1980s and 90s East Asian economies to be successful. The same can be said to the present flourishing China's economy. However, there are several scientists and scholar with contrary opinions. Precisely, the static nature of Confucian values is said to have prevented change and response to Western Presence.
References
King, A. Y. (2018). China's Great Transformation: Selected Essays on Confucianism, Modernization, and Democracy . Chinese University Press.
Unger, J. (2016). Chinese nationalism . Routledge.
Weiming, T. (2017). Implications of the rise of “Confucian” East Asia. In Multiple Modernities (pp. 195-218). Routledge.
Zurndorfer Harrriet (2018). Confusing Capitalism with Confucianism: Culture as Impediment and/or Stimulus to Chinese Economic Development. ResearchGate
