Orthodoxy and heterodoxy in Chinese History

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

(I) In China befor the Revolution the emperor governed the huge agrarian society composed of many small-scale cultivators, assisted by civil bureaucrats and operating on the principles of Confusion moralism which stressed suborination as the highest value. As a result, the specialization and progress of commerce and technology was hindered.(2) Through the long history of China obedience to the monopolistic power of the Emperor was recognized as orthodox ; disobedience to it as heterodox and had to be suppressed. Also the orthodoxy was supported by cultural superiority.(3) After the Revolution and especially after 1949 suppression on the largest scale took place reaching its peak at the time of the Great Cultural Revolution. In the latter not only the voices of the dissenters but also the traditionial religions, customs and mores were suppressed violently. The control by the Communist Party of the nation has been absolute and total as never been seen in Chinese history.(4) Since the beginning of the 1980's attempts have been made to diversify market economy and social life to promote economic growth and democratization. China today is a member of the global community economically, , politically, and culturally. So it is imperative that she review and if necessary change her traditional perception of orthodoxy.