Confucius in Modern China Essay -- philosophical ideologies

Every culture is composed of many philosophical ideologies that comprise the ever-changing nature of said nation. Many cultures do not have a monolithic, nor static nature; ideas such as Maoism, Daoism, Christianity, etc., challenge the preexisting notions that are part of a culture. Even though the Chinese government has established a strong strand against Confucianism, it is still a part of the Chinese culture in socio-political, economic, familial, and individual levels. Confucianism is still prevalent though business, education, the Confucian revival, the previous ties China had with Confucianism, and a return to old traditions as a default. Through the economic-business aspect point of view, Confucianism still holds sway over many of the actions and feelings in Chinese business, and some even say that, â€Å"it is impossible to do business in China and not feel the effects of Confucian philosophy† (Jacobs 29). For example, the sense of a social hierarchy is painfully obvious when foreign entrepreneurs do business with Chinese companies. In a business venture, â€Å"a British marketer who invited several Chinese guests to a trade promotion reception†¦ According to Chinese tradition, the glass of wine should have been presented to the highest trade official first† (Jacobs 29). This sense of hierarchy is also integrated into several manifestations of Chinese business management, particularly in an individual level that builds up to the corporation as a whole; due to the fact that the majority of people are expected to behave according to rank, they are disinclined to present ideas that may lead to the de velopment of the business. Jacobs also says that this explains â€Å"much of the inertia in Chinese businesses, particularly in state-owned en... ...ts influence is still strong. For example, â€Å"the Chinese state is allocating a $10 billion fund to sponsor a worldwide network of schools to promote Chinese culture and language† in the Chinese Bridge Program, which is viewed as he first step to a wider global acceptance of Confucian philosophy (Zhu). Speaking in a historical sense, in times of major social change, such as when the Communist party came into political power, Confucianism was derided and dismissed. Although political agendas and events try to mask the traditional ideologies of the Chinese people, recent political changes have said to create a new structure (Jacobs 30). Just as any other philosophy that has been imbued with a culture, Confucianism is not easy thing to dissolve; the basic principals form the basis of much of China†²s culture on a business, familial, socio-political, and individual levels.