Confucianism vs. Communism: Differences and Similarities

"By nature men are pretty much alike, it is learning and practice that set them apart." This quote by Confucius has been entrenched in the people of China's minds. Chinese lives revolved around Confucian teachings and beliefs. Confucian ideas and beliefs would come to shape the Chinese government. In addition, Confucian ideas would dominate Chinese society, and governed the Chinese's way of life. Then in 1949, the Communists swept into Beijing, and took power. The leader of the Communists, Mao Zedong, announced the birth of the People's Republic of China. After gaining power, the Communists tried to change the value system that had been entrenched in China for three thousand years.

Without a doubt, Confucius was China's best-known philosopher. He had developed many ideas about how to restore peace and ensure harmony that governed Chinese way of life for three thousand years. Confucius taught five relationships that he felt must govern Chinese society.

President Nixon meets with China's Communist Party...

English: Mao's official portrait at Tiananmen gate...

Pictured here is former Chinese Chairman Mao Zedon...

They were relationships between ruler and ruled, father and son, older brother and younger brother, husband and wife, and friend and friend. All but the last relationship, does the one person have authority over the other. Confucius said, "If a ruler himself is upright, all will go well without orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders, they will not be obeyed." With this quote, he meant that the superior person should set an example for the inferior. He also believed the superior should be responsible for the inferior. Furthermore, Confucius stressed the idea of filial piety and the fact that the father takes the credit or blame for his children's actions. He strongly believed in the importance of family, respect for elders, duty, and harmony. Confucius also emphasized the importance of education. According to Confucian ideas, a person's age,