Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

12-2010

Abstract

Since Deng Xiaoping came into power, China has been described as pragmatic in its approach to politics and development, and in the nineties there has been a revival of interest in Chinese cultural tradition. What is the relation between these two phenomena? Do they coexist, separately in mutual indifference, or in tension? Has there been constructive engagement, or at the very least does the potential for such engagement exist? More specifically, what roles, if any, do they play in China's quest for democracy? Does Dewey's pragmatism have any relevance to China in the twenty-first century? The issue of cultural tradition was central in the historical encounter between Dewey's pragmatism and Confucianism in the New Culture movement of early twentieth century. It is still salient in the debates about China's future and whether it would or should follow the democratic path. This essay will examine anti-democratic tendencies in the rising cultural nationalism in China and, through a philosophical exploration of John Dewey's views about tradition, it will suggest how Chinese pragmatists today might defend democracy against attacks by cultural nationalists who reject the democratic path as alien and therefore wrong for China.

Discipline

Chinese Studies | Comparative Philosophy | Ethics and Political Philosophy | Philosophy

Research Areas

Humanities

Publication

Contemporary Pragmatism

Volume

7

Issue

2

First Page

45

Last Page

69

ISSN

1875-8185

Identifier

10.1163/18758185-90000167

Publisher

Rodopi

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1163/18758185-90000167

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