Confucianism in the eyes of a Confucian liberal : Hsu Fu-kuan's critical examination of the Confucian political tradition / Honghe Liu.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [187]-197) and index.

1. The Son of the Earth. Childhood and Early Education. From Politics to Scholarship. The Son of the Earth and the Champion for Democracy -- 2. The Core Value of Confucian Political Thought. "Concerned Consciousness" - The Fountainhead of Confucian Humanism. Confucius' and Mencius' Theory of Human Nature - The Philosophical Foundation of Confucian Political Thought. The Political Thought of Confucius and Mencius -- 3. Criticism of Chinese Despotism. Transition From a Feudal Society to an Authoritarian Empire. The Establishment and Characteristics of Chinese Despotism. The Imperial Power and That of the Chancellor. The One-Man Despotism, the Aristocracy, and Intellectuals -- 4. Confucianism in the Imperial Era. "Triumph" in the Han Dynasty. The Mitigating Force and the Compromise. Want of the "Rule of Law" -- 5. Implication: Tradition and Modernity.

"This book provides access to the work of a contemporary Chinese thinker, Hsu Fu-kuan, whose works may not be accessible to English readers. As a scholar of depth, acumen, and originality, Hsu endeavors to explore the core value of Confucian humanism and to dissociate it from the baneful or outdated bequest.

He attributes the political failures of the culture not to the Confucian tradition, but to a legalistically influenced model of "One-Man Despotism," and argues that democracy is the only way forward for China. In analyzing Hsu's thought, this book clearly summarizes the very complex historical trends in Chinese political philosophy and practice spanning centuries.

It also explores the possibility of the creative interaction between, and integration of, Confucian humanism and democratic liberalism, as a viable way to solve the moral, spiritual, and ideological problems of China."--BOOK JACKET.