On Sept. 28, the birthday of Confucius (
Although abolished as a national holiday in Taiwan some years ago, this day is an occasion for politicians, educators and other public figures to reflect upon the meaning of his writings for the modern age.
Governments are also involved: China, which brutally suppressed Confucianism until quite recently, will be spending around US$10 billion over the next couple of years to establish so-called Confucian Institutes all over the world. They are expected to promote Chinese culture at a global level, assuming a role similar to that of Goethe-Institutes for German culture.
Given the fact that one of the key features of Confucian thought is a great concern for political and social stability based on a high respect for political and social (family) leaders, it is no wonder that communist-ruled China, with its autocratic social systems, re-embraces Confucianism at a broad level, especially in times of eroding belief in the communist doctrines among its youth.
Culture matters, as the title of a famous book suggests, particularly in China: If party dogma fails to control its subjects, then resorting to the indigenous Confucian culture seems to be an obvious step which stipulates nearly unconditional obedience vis-a-vis state authorities, with the party chief functioning as head of an expanded "family."
It is disconcerting, however, to learn that voices favoring a revival of Confucianism can also be heard in today's Taiwan, more than 20 years after the introduction of democracy.
Last year, in an editorial in the China Post on Sept. 28, entitled "Confucianism will stand the test of time," the author, who continuously addressed Confucius respectfully as "the sage" or "the master," claimed that the "lack of interest in the great master's birthday and teachings is one of the factors behind the chaos -- both political and social -- that's been plaguing Taiwan these past few years. It is also the major reason for the decline in the island's economic vitality."
One can be sure that similar eulogies will also be written this year.
Let me repeat the message of this quoted article: Taiwan's major problems in recent years -- the author probably meant since 2000 -- could have been avoided if its population had been more ardent followers of Confucius.
Paradoxically, there is a true side to this claim: It is true that the political and social life on this island would be less turbulent if Confucianism were the guiding doctrine of all people in Taiwan.
Uniformity has always been a tempting concept for dictators in the design of their ideal society, treating dissenting opinions as undesirable, dangerous or insane.
The Chinese leadership is a painful example of such a political attitude.
It is also true that social peace would be better maintained if, for instance, wives would bow to their husbands' strong and "just" hand, and young people would always follow their parents' "advice"; equally, if officials would follow blindly their superiors, and students their teachers.
Harmony is found in uniformity, and thus peace found in stability -- but is this a society that a modern mind wishes to live in?
Taiwan is an emerging democracy -- still. Things take time. A glance at young European democracies in the first half of the 20th century shows that many strong democracies failed in their first political trials.
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