As China continues to transform itself, many assume that the nation will eventually move beyond communism and adopt a Western-style democracy. This book provides a standard for evaluating political progress in China and enriches the dialogue of possibilities available to this rapidly evolving nation.

Acknowledgments vii Introduction 1 Daniel A. Bell Part I: A Confucian Constitutional Order * The Way of the Humane Authority: The Theoretical Basis for Confucian Constitutionalism and a Tricameral Parliament 27 Jiang Qing * The Supervisory System of Confucian Constitutionalism: Reflections on the Supervision of the State by the Academy 44 Jiang Qing * A Confucian Constitutionalist State: The Constitutional Role and Contemporary Significance of Republicanism under a Symbolic Monarch 71 Jiang Qing Part II: Comments * On the Legitimacy of Confucian Constitutionalism 99 Joseph Chan * An Old Mandate for a New State: On Jiang Qing's Political Confucianism 113 Bai Tongdong * Transcendent Heaven? A Critique of Jiang Qing's Grounding of the Right to Rule 129 Chenyang Li * Is the Way of the Humane Authority a Good Thing? An Assessment of Confucian Constitutionalism 139 Wang Shaoguang Part III: Response to the Commentators * Debating with My Critics 161 Jiang Qing Notes 209 Bibliography 241 Contributors 249 Index 251

"This thought-provoking volume by Jiang offers a vision for a Confucian constitutional order that may serve as a compelling alternative to both the status quo in China and a Western-style liberal democracy."--Choice "Qing's ideas are likely to be fairly widely known in China and will probably become more so... [The] book is significant because it breaks new ground by putting forward a fairly detailed proposal by a mainland Chinese academic for a non-Communist future Chinese system."--Kenneth C. Walker, Asian Affairs "No doubt, the book will generate thought-provoking debates. Although we may not agree with Jiang's political vision, we have to admit that he is a true believer who is not afraid to stand alone... For this, I give the book thumbs up. Last but not least, a special credit goes to Edmund Ryden, the translator, whose superb English rendering makes Jiang's basic political philosophy a fantastic read."--Ellen Y. Zhang, Dao "[T]his volume helps readers to see that there are many different ways that Confucianism may be able to play roles in political thinking both in China and more generally. Jiang Qing's is an important and provocative perspective."--Stephen C. Angle, Philosophy East and West "An excellent introduction to Jiang's thought and, more broadly, to some recent developments in the Chinese intellectual scene. Bell and Fan should be congratulated for their efforts, and Edmund Ryden should be proud of his translations... A Confucian Constitutional Order should surely take pride in its place among the Princeton-China Series publications."--Yuri Pines, China Review International

"At the very moment that China is roiling with pressure for change—ethically, politically, and spiritually—Jiang Qing has unveiled a provocative road map that seeks to reconnect the nation's past with its future. This book opens the window on the struggle for China's soul."—Evan Osnos, China correspondent for the New Yorker"Should Confucianism be treated as an official religion guiding the Chinese state? Or should it serve more as a stimulus for moral cultivation? This volume assembles arguments by one of the most ardent advocates of a religious Confucian constitutional order, together with a number of rejoinders that, without fully endorsing Western liberalism, favor a greater balance between East and West. A fascinating collection for China experts and students of political philosophy."—Fred Dallmayr, University of Notre Dame"A Confucian Constitutional Order represents the most comprehensive take on this important topic that I have seen. The official position of the Chinese Communist Party in favor of Confucianism as the defining element in Chinese socialism gives Qing's book a prime relevance to the contemporary political scene. The stature and qualifications of the author, editors, and contributors are impressive, and their reflections on Western democracy are significant."—Wm. Theodore de Bary, Columbia University"Jiang Qing is a contemporary Chinese political thinker whose voice deserves to be heard. We now have before us, for the first time in English, a major statement of Confucian constitutionalism by one of the leading Confucian thinkers working in China today."—Jiwei Ci, University of Hong Kong"Jiang Qing is a remarkable intellectual and sociological phenomenon, and he is China's most visible proponent of Confucian revivalism. His work engages scholars and he is a courageous and active force for political reform in China. This book will be useful to those who want to learn more about China's most charismatic advocate for traditional Confucian principles."—Justin Tiwald, San Francisco State University