On the Confucian Communist Comeback in Contemporary China

Few Chinese intellectuals and political reformers turned to Confucianism and Communism for political inspiration at the end of the twentieth century. But the traditions have mounted remarkable comebacks in mainland China. What explains the return of Confucianism and Communism? And what are the implications for Chinese academia and the political system? Drawing on his new book, "The Dean of Shandong," (Princeton, 2023) -- "an inside view of Chinese academia and what it reveals about China's political system" -- Daniel A. Bell will attempt to answer these questions.

About the speaker: Daniel A. Bell (貝淡寧) is Professor, Chair of Political Theory with the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong. He served as Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University (Qingdao) from 2017 to 2022. His books include "The Dean of Shandong" (2023), "Just Hierarchy" (co-authored with Wang Pei, 2020), "The China Model" (2015), "The Spirit of Cities" (co-authored with Avner de-Shalit, 2012), "China's New Confucianism" (2008), "Beyond Liberal Democracy" (2007), and "East Meets West" (2000), all published by Princeton University Press. He is also the author of "Communitarianism and Its Critics" (Oxford University Press, 1993). He is founding editor of the Princeton-China series (Princeton University Press) which translates and publishes original and influential academic works from China. His works have been translated in 23 languages. He has been interviewed in English, Chinese, and French. In 2018, he was awarded the Huilin Prize and was honored as a "Cultural Leader" by the World Economic Forum.