The Positive and Negative Effects of Confucianism in East Asian Cultures - Essay Example

The positive and negative effects of Confucianism in East Asian Cultures History and Political Science Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system that came into being somewhere around 771 to 476 BC during the ‘Spring &Autumn Period’. This system was inspired from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius and is based on the concept of humanism, a belief that states that the traits of human beings can be improved through personal and communal endeavor. 3 main elements of ethics form the core of Confucianism. These elements are Ren an obligation of altruism and humaneness for other individuals within a community, yi the obligation to do good and li a system that defines how a person should act within a community. There are just the 3 primary components of the Confucianism philosophy. Apart from these, etiquette, loyalty, filial piety, relationships and various other elements form the structure of this system. The philosophy, politics, society and the business industry of East Asian nations like China, Japan and Korea were all based on the concepts of Confucianism. According to historical facts, these countries prospered leaps and bounds, all due to the fact that they followed the Confucian ethics in all aspects of the society. But the question arises, if Confucianism was such a successful philosophy, why was it let go off by the East Asian countries? Was there a downside to it as well? The Birth of Confucianism and how it spread to other Asian countries The philosophy of Confucianism was practiced in many cultures and countries in East Asia like China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea Vietnam and various Chinese occupied territories like Singapore. China however, was the birthplace of Confucianism. It was came into being from the sixth century to the third century B.C., an age described as "The Age of Philosophers". Eventually during 141 to 87 BC, it was declared as a state philosophy by the Emperor Wu of Han. Confucianism in Japan began at a time when “Confucianism” was quite different from what it is today. During the long years from the fall of the Latter Han dynasty in 220 CE through the Tang (618–907), the classics esteemed by Confucius remained an important part for those who exercised authority over others. The sixteenth year of the reign of Ōjin is often taken as the start of Japan’s experience with Confucianism, with traditional dating assigning this to 285 but around 404 being the more likely. Reportedly, in that year a Confucian scholar from the Korean kingdom of Paekche, Wang In (known as Wani in Japanese), arrived in Japan to tutor a son of Ōjin, bringing along with him copies of the Analects and the Thousand Character Classic. And this is how Confucianism in Japan took off. During Korea’s lengthy Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910) Confucian ideals were deeply valued. In the early Chosŏn scholars imported Confucianism from China, establishing it as the governing political ideology and further developing Korean-style neo-Confucianism. Modeling neo-Confucian ideals, they transformed Chosŏn into a thoroughly Confucian society during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Positive and Negative Effects of Confucianism in East Asia It is an accepted fact that the nations of East Asia constitute a part of the fastest growing economy in the world. In the past 30 years, 3 smalls East Asian nations – South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore have exhibited phenomenal economic growth which now rivals that of Japan’s. These countries are now ranked as having the world most successful economies. The explanation for this boom in the economic systems can be dedicated to the fact that Confucian values form an ethical thread across the East Asia nations. The philosophy of Confucianism is dictates a harmonious collective social order. This in turn ensures absolute loyalty and obedience to authority from the subordinates. This is the base that enabled the East Asian nations to skyrocket their economy. No matter where in the hierarchy an employee stood, his total submission to the owner or leader of the company was absolute. This enabled a 110% output from the employee with no questions asked. Another significant factor in the economic boom of the East Asian countries is that their business setting is based on the family structure. The concept of a family has been integrated in business as well where corporate leaders play the role of a father, and their employees and subordinates act as their children, following every command that the father gives without question. Another significant positive that can be achieved from Confucianism is the value of education. The students of China, Korea and Japan all underwent teachings according to the Confucian philosophy, these students had all the elements that were required to uplift not only the economy, but the social status of the East Asian countries. But then, the question arises, is the philosophy of Confucianism 100% perfect, or does it have a dark side as well? Let’s take the example of business again. In Korea, the downside of the “Family First” concept in business resulted in Koreans turning highly individualistic. While most Korean corporation were family-owned, the corporations still did not operate socially as families. Secondly, the motivation in Korean firms revolved around money, status, personal power and personal advancement. Relatives, friends and family members were considered nothing more than important stepping stones to personal achievement. Another negative aspect of the Confucian system was that referring to family standards, which takes precedence, often requires hypocrisy in the public domain with lying an accepted means of protecting the domain, family and maintaining the family reputation. These factors eventually resulted is numerous problems which starting eroding the foundations of the Confucian system of thought. Let’s take a deeper look at how Confucianism affected the business community of Japan, China and Korea negatively. As mentioned earlier, the East Asian business community was structured around a ‘Family First’ philosophy. But unfortunately, due to this, unproductive inheritance of power and fortune resulted. As firms passed from one generation to the next, the second generation matures and succeeds to the family fortune, a cycle of fragmentation begins. Conflict erupts over shares of inheritance and power struggles develop. Under these circumstances it is very rare in East Asias NIEs for a firm to survive for 200 or even 100 years. Another factor is the lack of trust between the ‘Family members’ and the ‘Non-family employees’ that are working in an organization. The non-family members, though they give more than their 100% and are completely loyal to the company, are permanently excluded from the inner circle. This in turn causes the organization to suffer as the productivity of the employees starts to suffer. According to Confucius, the highest achievement is harmony among individuals and the community. But unfortunately, this harmony slowly but surely distorted over time in the East Asian countries. Higher authority in the fields of business, politics and society simply prevailed, over those whose interests have been denied and whose opinions have been discounted. On the other hand, organization posed to be harmonic and united from the outside. This kind of hypocritical harmony left no room for autonomy which turned the attitude of the employees extremely negative. So the main question stands – did Confucianism really have a positive or a negative effect of the East Asian Countries? It all depends on the perception of the viewer. At one hand, Confucianism practically transformed East Asia’s business and industry into an economic miracle. Not only that, socially, Confucianism promoted sobriety, and ensured a high level of education to the community. It ensured loyalty between the employees and the corporate leaders. It motivated an individual to take one’s tasks, jobs, family and other obligations seriously. On the other hand, Confucianism had its dark side as well. The same factors that uplifted the East Asian society were also causing its downfall. One of the major issues was that family ties and ones obligation to the family values was causing the community and business leaders to being biased. This resulted in dishonesty and neglect of the public good. But then again, was the good justifiable when compared to the negatives of Confucianism? Generally speaking, the economic success of Japan, Taiwan, China and Korea is known across the world. Even though the East Asian region faced constant turmoil in the shape of wars and political shifts the super paced economy of these countries is nothing less than an economic miracle. The concepts and theories arising from Confucianism can really be declared as positive elements that have boosted the East Asian nations in almost every field of the society. Read More