The Confucian Concept of “Public” and the Adoption of Deliberative Assembly in Japan: Writings of Yokoi Sho ¯nan
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In Japan, the official guiding philosophy of the Tokugawa period (1603-1867) was Neo-Confucianism stressing the importance of morals, education and hierarchical order in the government and society. This philosophy profoundly influenced the thought and behavior of the educated class. In the Neo-Confucian view, harmony was maintained by a reciprocal relationship of justice between a superior, who was urged to be benevolent, and a subordinate, who was urged to be obedient and to observe propriety. This paper is an attempt to establish connection between Neo-Confucian and Western concept of “Public” and decision-making, based on the writings of Yokoi Shonan, a Neo-Confucian intellectual in late Tokugawa/early Meji period. Deliberative assembly, a parliamentary form of government propounded in West sounded different in form but the contents were very close to that of Neo-Confucian concept of government. The logical argument for adopting the Western Style of deliberative assembly was not because it deviated from the Confucian concept of an ideal government but because it was strikingly similar in essence to those of the Confucian concepts of equality liberty, public debate, and public opinion .
Abstract
In Japan, the official guiding philosophy of the Tokugawa period (1603-1867) was Neo-Confucianism stressing the importance of morals, education and hierarchical order in the government and society. This philosophy profoundly influenced the thought and behavior of the educated class. In the Neo-Confucian view, harmony was maintained by a reciprocal relationship of justice between a superior, who was urged to be benevolent, and a subordinate, who was urged to be obedient and to observe propriety. This paper is an attempt to establish connection between Neo-Confucian and Western concept of “Public” and decision-making, based on the writings of Yokoi Shonan, a Neo-Confucian intellectual in late Tokugawa/early Meji period. Deliberative assembly, a parliamentary form of government propounded in West sounded different in form but the contents were very close to that of Neo-Confucian concept of government. The logical argument for adopting the Western Style of deliberative assembly was not because it deviated from the Confucian concept of an ideal government but because it was strikingly similar in essence to those of the Confucian concepts of equality liberty, public debate, and public opinion .