Wm. Theodore de Bary's "The Trouble with Confucianism" argues that Confucianism's liberal humanist teachings have been consistently appropriated by conservative regimes, creating a tension between the ideal of the noble man and the authoritarian sage-king. De Bary challenges Max Weber's portrayal of Confucianism as a philosophy of passive acceptance, instead highlighting a "prophetic voice" advocating for the people's welfare without granting them agency. This dynamic has historically resulted in a two-class system of rulers and ruled, and more recently, a one-party state dominated by an elite.
The book examines the ambiguous character of Confucianism in modern Asia, where it is perceived by some as a symbol of repression and by others as a humanist ethical system. De Bary draws on early Confucian texts and historical developments to demonstrate how Confucian thinkers themselves grappled with the problematic outcomes of their ideals, offering lessons from their "troubled experience."
Key concepts
- Liberal humanist teaching — The ethical and philosophical principles of Confucianism that emphasize human potential and well-being.
- Conservative regimes — Political systems that have co-opted Confucian ideals to maintain power and control.
- Noble man — An ideal figure in Confucian thought, representing moral cultivation and concern for the people's welfare.
- Exemplary sage-king turned authoritarian — The historical transformation of Confucian leadership ideals into oppressive imperial rule.
- Prophetic voice — A characteristic of Confucianism identified by de Bary, where leaders speak for the people but do not empower them.
- Two-class structure — The institutional embodiment of Confucianism's inherent division between a ruling bureaucracy and a powerless populace.