Laozi and Community Policing

Laozi's Daode jing is undoubtedly the key classic of Daoism, centering on truth, morality, and health. However, it also has much to say about practical governance and can be actively related to modern issues of community policing. This article first discusses the practical rise of community policing based on current social needs as well as its theoretical understanding and development. It then outlines the Chinese concept of community and links it with Laozi's thought, followed by an analysis of the notion of governance in the Daode jing. Both in terms of actual need and theoretical understanding of the social order, the ancient Chinese classic and modern community policing have much in common. Laozi's vision of governance is clearly of great importance in in modern society.