A Look At China’s Cultural Issues

The present and past of China are similar. The past and present of China are very similar. Ch’ing Dynasty has returned, and the current regime is repeating it. As in Chou Dynasty, Han Dynasty and the present. Confucianism has been a major part of Chinese society and culture. The Chinese also depended heavily on agriculture, even as China started to urbanize. China was plagued with corruption from the very first dynasty. By BC475 the Shang Dynasty was heavily based on agriculture and bronze-metal metallurgy. Urban development also played a major role. However, as agriculture became more productive the Shang System forced farmers into paying taxes to support their military work.

The Shang dynasty, who also wanted to rule the empire, became cruel and immoral because of this. In 221 bc, the Shang dynasty encountered the last revolt. King Wen established the Chou, a dynasty that believed heaven had granted a mandate of rule. During the Shang dynasty laws were uniform and well-defined. Confucianism started during the dynasty as Master Kong (K’ung Confucius 551-479 B.C. ) was the first Confucian. He didn’t intend to start a religion. Instead, he wanted to interpret the Zhou (Chou dynasty) religion and to try to revive it. Confucius believed the foundation of good policy lay in Zhou’s religion and statecraft, which he called “rituals”. Confucianism represents the new class of administrators, advisers and experts that are needed now to help the ruling elite deal with complex issues of domestic administration and international relations. He was also the affirmation and acceptance of values and norms in basic social institutions and human relationships. Confucius’ ethical view was in opposition to the legalistic thinking of the time. Chou Dynasty fell in 256 BC. Shih Huang was crowned emperor by the Ch’in Dynasty in 221 B.C. The Ch’in Dynasty first unified the country in 221 B.C., when they made landholding private. They also enforced taxation equally and impersonally. The Ch’in Dynasty increased taxation by making landholding private and enforcing it equally. In (207 bc), the Ch’in dynasty began to increase taxation. Liu Pang, founder of Han Dynasty tried to emulate the Qin. At first, the Han changed unfair taxes and laws. To reduce tension among the masses, as laws were repealed and taxes reduced, the Han began to abolish some of them. To promote the economy. However, The Han Empire started to crumble as large landholdings families began to take advantage of imperial weakness. Farmers were also taxed to make sure they didn’t monopolize or be stronger than other citizens during those times. Han Dynasty also introduced Confucianism to the Chinese people as their main school. These ideas are to give people titles and jobs based not on lineage but on skills. The test was designed to select the best civil service employees. The Han Dynasty was not immune to corruption. In the past, as well. New York Times, January 8, article: “Farmers are fed up of taxes and corruption.”

Regimes in the past as well as the present aimed to have a total control over the population with strong police forces. This was to prevent any disputes or celebrations. Quoted by an official in china, who said that the needs of state overshadow individual needs. He stated that the strength of the nation is achieved through unity. The Ch’ang period in the Han Dynasty was a time when sacrifices were made for the good of the state. This was a new concept, but it was very important. Wang Mang, who lived in AD 9-23, was murdered when he sought to introduce a reform ensuring that all citizens would have equal rights to political, economic and social freedoms. Zhang Huangli also committed murder on January 8, 2008 when he fought for his right. In China, when commerce was a boon to the state at one point, people felt resentment towards the government for using farmers’ products without compensating or recognising them. According to an article in the New York Times, disagreements have grown in China. Wanting total control will only lead to future problems.

Disagreements and/or dissension will exacerbate problems in the Chinese agriculture. The violence and problems must be avoided to the greatest extent possible. As an example, the Chinese Dynasty feels divided when the situation is repeated. Confucius and China’s culture Understanding Chinese culture and history is easier when you study Confucius. Since 140 B.C. In the past, when Emperor Wudi from the Western Dynasty made it the country’s official philosophy, the confuciaist thought was the mainstay in Chinese culture. The influence of confucianism was felt in all areas of life, from court politics down to everyday life. Confucius is essential to understanding China. Confucius has some valuable ideas for China today and the whole world. His views on education, morality, self-cultivation and harmony, among other things, could be regarded as having lasting value, despite his 2,500 year old birth. Some philosophers of today consider confucianism to be a key factor in the rapid growth of certain East Asian countries and areas, as well as a solution for many of the current world problems. Confucianism has been a major component of Chinese culture for many years. Chinese culture in turn was one major force that shaped the direction of Chinese history.

This is not true of many ancient civilizations. Although ethnic border groups ruled China on more than one occasion, their influence did not have any lasting impact on Chinese culture. The Chinese culture was the one that conquered them, and not vice versa. This shows that political and military control had to eventually give way to the cultural superiority. As a conclusion, both developing and developed countries face a number of challenges, with culture playing a key role. Without a strong culture, it is very difficult for a nation to establish or maintain advanced political or economical systems.

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  • holliedavidson

    Hollie Davidson is a 34-year-old educational blogger and student. She has a passion for writing, and loves to share her knowledge and insights with her readers. Hollie is also an advocate for effective learning, and is committed to helping others achieve their goals.