Self-cultivation and the legitimation of power: Governing China through education

Abstract

A revival of Confucianism in post-Mao China helped the government legitimate its power in the face of a new socio-political and economic situation. This paper specifically explores the role of Confucian self-cultivation in China’s governance. Drawing on Beetham’s theory of legitimation of power and Weber’s tri-typology of authority, we argue that self-cultivation, appealing to ingrained cultural values and traditions, fulfils the criteria of legitimation of power through two principles, namely, differentiation and community interest. In the context of suzhi education (education for quality) and China’s national university entrance exam (gaokao), we interrogate tensions and paradoxes between the need for a presentation of modern and liberal authority and the CCP’s one-party rule. The paper illustrates the complexity of China’s authoritarianism and the intricacies and intrinsic relevance of self-cultivation in current practice.

keywords:

• Suzhi
• China higher education
• governance
• legitimation of power
• self-cultivation
• Confucianism

Notes

1. (The CCP) represents the advancement of China’s productivity; represents the direction of China’s cultural advancement; represents the fundamental interest of the majority of Chinese people.

2. The number registered for gaokao has declined since 2008 in some provincial areas. This is partly due to an increasing number of students studying abroad and skipping the national exams. But gaokao is still the most important national exams for the majority. Meanwhile, the number of international students in China has increased. These changes and new development may further complicate gaokao and related policies and reforms in the future.