Confucianism, Legalism, and the Underpinnings of Modern Chinese Politics: A Conversation with Dr. Yan Xiaojun

In this thought-provoking episode of Philosophy Crossroads, we welcome Dr. Yan Xiaojun, an associate professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong. As a leading expert on authoritarian politics and political development in contemporary China, Dr. Yan provides profound insights into the complex interplay between traditional Chinese philosophical concepts like Confucianism and Legalism and modern Chinese politics. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical debates around political legitimacy and citizens' obligation to obey in China and Western democracies, the role and purpose of the state versus the individual in Chinese philosophical thought, and how historical philosophies impact political accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in China today.