China Stability

Up until the early years of the 19th century, traditional China enjoyed a high level of stability and strength, enhanced by the country’s world isolation and seclusion. The rigid examination system, which created the bureaucratic Shenshi class, the concept of the ‘Middle Kingdom’ and centralised language system, all upheld and influenced by Confucian philosophy, contributed to China’s strength. Its world isolation, enhanced by the Mandate of Heaven, the concept of the middle kingdom and the ethnocentric view of the Chinese people, allowed China to attain a stable and segregate society up until the early years of the 19th century.
Confucianism, at the heart of traditional Chinese society and culture, heavily contributed to the strengthening and isolation of the empire. Confucianism established a hierarchy where all duty is clear and mutual, thereby, in theory, creating a harmonious and ordered society. Confucianism, based on the five virtues of integrity, loyalty, righteousness, humanity and altruism, dictated where the superiority resided in relationships and promoted duty to the authority. The Confucian principals established a set code of guidelines and rules which one must follow. The people had a duty to behave morally correctly and the breaking of these codes of behaviour became almost unthinkable. The code applied to all in the empire including the emperor, officials and advisers. Confucian philosophy was so ingrained in the culture of traditional China, that it influenced the political structure which strengthened and stabilised China and maintained the peace. This was due to the belief in The Mandate of Heaven, and the dynastic cycle, emphasised by the early Qing emperor, Kangxi, which allowed citizens to rebel if the current emperor or dynasty failed to rule benevolently, in harmony with nature and uphold Confucian principals. Failure was characterised by natural disasters, famine, or corruption within the court. The Mandate of Heaven and the permission...