Three Notes on China: Past and Present

The struggle between Confucianism and legalism lasted through thousands of years in Chinese history and even served as the background of the recent developments in China (Mao’s preference for legalism versus Deng’s promoting of Confucianism). Although legalists are as a rule dismissed as “totalitarian,” as advocates of a ruthless and cynical state authority, perhaps the time has come to bring out their positive side, especially their egalitarianism of law (the same law for all).