Chinese Visions of World Order

This insightful book explores the Confucian doctrine of tianxia and its impact on China's political and cultural landscape from ancient times to the present.

The book Chinese Visions of World Order delves into the evolution of the Confucian doctrine of tianxia, meaning 'all under heaven.' This doctrine aspires to create a unitary worldview that emphasizes global justice and seeks to transcend social, geographic, and political divides. The contributors explore how this concept has profoundly influenced China's political organization, foreign policy, and worldview from the Han dynasty to the present day.

In Chinese Visions of World Order, the authors highlight the myriad interpretations of tianxia throughout history. From its roots as a cultural imaginary and political strategy to its moralistic commitments and cosmological visions, the book examines how the doctrine has adapted over time. The contributors provide insights into tianxia's relationship with realpolitik and its revival in modern China, shedding light on its relevance in today's global context.

The work also investigates the origins of tianxia in antiquity, its role in empire building, and its cultural universalism as a framework for contemporary global relations. The analysis extends to its connections with cosmopolitanism, its persistence in China's socialist internationalism, and its use as an official state ideology. By examining these dimensions, Chinese Visions of World Order illustrates how China utilizes its historical past to articulate an alternative vision for the current international system.