On the table: a neo-Confucian constitution.
The House of Profound Confucians (Tong Ru Yuan) represents the legitimacy of the sacred Way, the House of National Continuity (Guo Ti Yuan) represents the legitimacy of cultural heritage and tradition, and the House of Plebeians (Shu Min Yuan) represents the legitimacy of the common people’s will and desire.
Hmmm. This is certainly tolerated by Beijing, though my guess is that it is indulged rather than promoted in classic third force-false face style. It certainly stands in self-conscious opposition to China’s democratic tendency, and it’s out on the international conference trail, liberally quoting Burke and expressing admiration for classical Anglicanism.
Min Yuan
As in the 50s Malayan Communist organisation?
Posted by: Alex | April 29, 2009 at 11:13 PM
The same root, as in 'House of Commoners', though I think the Confucians have a different conception of working class agency.
Posted by: jamie | April 29, 2009 at 11:27 PM
expressing admiration for classical Anglicanism.
No doubt a pre-emptive strike against any evangelical-inspired resurrection of the Taiping Tiankuo. (And wouldn't that make life interesting.)
Posted by: ajay | April 30, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Anglicanism was founded on terms the Chinese government now applies to permitted religions and denominations therein: namely loyalty to the state. It's quite a smart bit of equivocation at both ends.
Posted by: jamie | April 30, 2009 at 04:01 PM