Argument Essay: The Peaceful Rise Of China

Great Essays
Introduction
The purpose of this essay is to discuss what the “peaceful rise” means to the Chinese, and why it is the best course of action for China. This essay begins by addressing the historical and traditional concepts that have influenced China’s “peaceful rise.” Next, the essay discusses why a “peaceful rise” is currently the most prudent path for China. Finally, this essay briefly looks at the argument of whether or not China’s rise is peaceful, and its implications. This essay will show that China’s rise, whether peaceful or not, will play a predominant role in international affairs.

The “Peaceful Rise” Concept
Generally, the Chinese have been very proud of their early achievements in human history. For instance, some of China’s current leaders have turned to Zheng He’s naval voyages to demonstrate China’s historical greatness and peaceful nature. Zheng embarked on several naval voyages beyond the Indian Ocean well before other famous European sailors. China’s leaders stress Zheng’s
…show more content…
Confucian values have served as moral guidelines for social and political order in China because they are based on the ideal behaviors of how individuals should relate to society and others. Adding to this explanation, Yan writes that “the core of Confucianism is ‘benevolence,’ [and] this concept encourages Chinese rulers to adopt benevolent governance rather than hegemonic governance.” Equally, the traditional political order based on the Mandate of Heaven has greatly influenced the concept of the “peaceful rise.” This political order claims that the state holds supernatural, divine authority to rule. Because the state holds divine authority, the state also ensures morality and harmony within society. Xiaoming Huang points out that even though the Mandate of Heaven has its origins in China, this ancient tradition is no longer looked at to legitimize

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Throughout history, Chinese philosophies have referred to various perspectives and values followed among their people. All of these philosophies have a long history of several and many years. Out of the three well-known philosophies, Confucianism and Legalism have polar opposite values and morals. The philosophy that began from Confucius believed in returning good ethics in order for society to have good conduct opposed to bad people. Whereas Legalism believed that the disorder of society would be fixed by harsh punishment and overall government control.…

    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Qing Dynasty Dbq Analysis

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In the year 1911 one of history’s most powerful dynasties came to an end. It is highly questionable as to the series of events that led to the fall of Qing China. One thing is clear, Japan a close neighbor to China did not lead the same fate. The question is how did Japan succeed when China did not. It is known that Qing China failed in many aspects including militarily, economically, and internationally.…

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Population control in China is horrible to me because I am a very family oriented person. I don’t understand why there is a law stating how many children someone can have. If you are meant to be in this world, God’s will be done. Taking away a beautiful life is illegal and crucifixion and I strongly disagree. Population control in China is horrible to me because I am a very family oriented person.…

    • 114 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism and Confucianism, is the main system of thought in China; It was developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and had to do with the principles of good practice, the empirical wisdom and the own social relations. Confucianism has influenced the Chinese attitude toward the existence, setting the life patterns and patterns of social value, and providing the basis of political theories and Chinese institutions. From China it spread to Korea, Japan and Viet Nam, and in recent decades it has aroused interest among scholars of the West. Ethical principles of Confucianism, which should directed to perfection are: filial piety, linked to respect for the ancestors and the fidelity tradition and deference to superiors (zhongh): the equity that leads to respect for goods and social position of each which (yi).The way decent conduct, closely tied to ceremonies and the way of governing and restore social order (li).Passion or sympathy that leads to the rescue to the similar (ren).…

    • 421 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Confucianism Dbq

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Classical China was composed of several major schools of philosophy that generally associated with life on earth rather than spiritual values. These philosophies emphasized a good life on earth and focused on the virtues of obedience to the state rather than speculations about God and heaven. Confucius, or King Fuzi, preached Confucianism, which was a system of ethics stressing virtue and reverence throughout society. Additionally, during the Qin and Han dynasties, an alternate system of political thought arose called Legalism. This philosophical belief was centered around the notion that human nature was naturally evil and required restraint and discipline.…

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Classical India Dbq Essay

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Answers and Equivalencies Does God exist if there is no one who believes in him? If we are to govern ourselves, what methods should we use to go about this? These questions are the focus of religious and political philosophical scholars. Humans have been wondering about these questions as long as there has been sedentary life. In the ancient times of hunter-gatherer societies, people were too focused on surviving that day to think about divinities that were beyond the crops and animals they needed to eat.…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    China has one of the longest known histories in ancient world history. As civilization developed, so did the ideology of philosophy, society, and the world. There are three philosophies, and one religion that played a significant role in establishing Chinese history. These philosophies are Confucianism, Legalism, and Buddhism. Each has its own meanings; each had its own ways of seeing the nature of human beings, society and the universe.…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism and Daoism: Comparing Primary Documents Based on the tenants each religious philosophy, Documents A and D represent the Confucian tradition and Documents B and C represent the Taoist tradition. Both traditions set forth major principles for living as an individual and within the community. Major topics include punishment, weapons, conflict, leading, virtue, and crime.…

    • 498 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Trevor Lindner A10940238 Poli 113A Victor Magagna Due Friday November 6th 2015 4. Explain the concepts that define the “what” of proper order. Concepts of Proper Order: The Exploration of What Factors Contribute to Growth Confucianism is a set of principles that provides a guiding hand towards being a better person and contributing to a stronger society. These principles include concepts that encourage the lower class and ruling class to work together in order to create flourishing society. The ruling class cannot maintain power without the support of the lower class and their resources, but the lower class also needs protection that comes with a hierarchical governing system brought by the ruling class.…

    • 1855 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Confucianism: The Gateway to Communism in China China is a country of many cultures and religions dating back centuries. There have been numerous religions and in those religions have been many varieties. In addition to the plethora of religious ideologies, China has been governed in various ways throughout history too. Family dynasties controlled China for most of its history up until modern times.…

    • 1547 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Warring States Essay

    • 1057 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Mandate of Heaven doctrine helps to determine if an emperor of China is satisfactory enough to rule. According…

    • 1057 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In Early china civilization they believed in the Mandate of Heaven. Mandate of Heaven is royal authority comes from God, they believed that the Gods look down on them and chose who would rule the empire. The four main principles of this is that heaven grants the emperor the right to rule, there can only be one emperor at a time, the emperor’s virtue determines his right to rule and no dynasty has a permanent right to rule. This belief started in 1027 B.C.E. when the Zhou dynasty came to rule. The Zhou Dynasty used this to justify the overthrow of the Shang dynasty.…

    • 112 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Zheng He's 7 Voyages

    • 1522 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Noor Shahin The 7 voyages of Zheng He In 1403, the Yongle Emperor ordered the construction of a massive fleet of ships capable of traveling the Indian Ocean successfully. His political motive for starting these expeditions was so that he could enlist states an imperial tribute system that increased the domestic prestige of the emperor because china considered itself the center of the world. The voyages consisted of 27,000 men aboard 317 ships.…

    • 1522 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The concept surrounding China’s unpeaceful rise is a fundamental complex debate. In the article, Chinas Unpeaceful Rise, one is exposed to John J. Mearsheimer’s subjective view which states that Chinas rise will be one absence of peace and one accustomed to war. In accordance, the United States, due to the theory of international politics, will ensure that China’s attempt to establish regional hegemony will be challenged by the United States. According to John J. Mearsheimer’s understanding of international politics most prominent goal of state survival and to maximise power over the world and the overall system, Mearsheimer believes that in order for Chins to gain a position of overpowering security, she will attempt to rule the Asia-Pacific…

    • 1375 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Confucianism and Taoism are primeval Chinese religions. They were both philosophies, which began in China. Neither were proposed to be religions at the era though by tradition they have been treated as such by many adherents and scholars. It is very difficult to separate Chinese religions given that most exist simultaneously within each practice and beliefs. However, there are certain elements that make each religion stand out as its own.…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays