Discuss the impact of Chinese cultural diversity on the larger issues of economics, politics, religion, family, and the arts.
The most mesmerizing thing about the culture of the Chinese is the diverse history and heritage. The country has fifty- six officials nationalities lead by the Han-Chinese nationality being the majority with 90% of the nation. The other nationalities include the Zhuang, Yi, Tibetans and the Mongols. According to (Smith, 2013) the smaller nationalities have millions of people who live in various parts of China. The unification of the citizen has pushed the achievement of the country’s goal. This goal leads to the success and the failures of the country in politics, religion, art, economics, and family.
The country has various principles, ideas, and perspectives that come with ethnic diversity. Cultural diversity affected civilization of the nation when they could not agree by creating perspectives to look at situations differently. Through diversity, the Qin dynasty was established and created the centralized state that continued till the end of the dynasty era (Smith, 2013). The Chinese adopted the communist government that had the standardized structure of the politics and government which had a great impact on the economy. Labor mobility was restricted by the government, and the citizens could not share their skills thus making some parts of the nation to grow economically while others don’t grow.
Chinese culture is strict in following their beliefs and teachings of Confucius regardless of diversity in ethnic (Thyer, 2010). The Confucius belief plays a big role in their culture contributing to how they view, political and social responsibility and family values which are represented by works of art. The belief further explains the idea of perfectibility through continuous self-improvement and having the humanity to others and respected the government. Several examples can be used to show this in various forms of culture from the eastern. In the movies and televisions, we see that the rulers and the elders are most respected (Thyer, 2010). Despite having the diverse and Chinese martial arts, the community is brought together when it comes to respecting meaning they are all the same.
Discuss the ethical sense of Confucianism regarding its emphasis on social responsibility, its rational approach to human problems such as governing, and its belief that both society and individuals are perfectible.
Despite having diversified ethnically, China was uniform in following aspects of the teachings of Confucius. Confucius lived in the period when Zhou dynasty was in power, but in that period the dynasty did not have a lot of Power. Confucius wanted to create a centralized government but he later abandoned it, and his plan was not seen ever since he was still alive (Thyer, 2010). Confucianism, a uniformed way of thinking, was found by the Chinese through his principles and teachings.
However, the religion Confucianism focused mostly on the codes of ethics accounting for the aspect of heaven on the teachings and not more spiritual. Confucianism was more of humanistic and humans are not only able to be perfectible but also have the ability to make choices including ethical choices. Humans should maintain themselves and show an excellent example to those around them and show respect to the gods (Thyer, 2010) explains. The Confucius ethics had five virtues to be followed by humans including Ren (humanness),(Li( proper rite), Xin (integrity)and Zhi (knowledge).
Leading by example considering the government, the believer expects those in power and government should show good morals to their citizens. The belief goes ahead to explain that heaven gives the emperor to rule over the earth thus linking the heavens and earth. The belief is the mandate of heaven; it believes that when the ruler has overthrown the mandate of leading is taken away (Smith, 2013). It explained the idea that if the government was not the moral example to the people, they should be removed from the positions they are holding in power. This showed that those in power are not worthy to be the choice of the heaven aspect. This aspect was important since it almost gave the citizens power to their rulers who displays the example they should show to the people.
Moreover, the Confucianism focused on humanism for maintenance of good codes of ethics. Humanism is important in the societies and when people have the desire to improve and maintain a code of ethics .the individual is on the road of perfection when she wants to be better, is improving with each generation and maintains their morality. The Confucianism concepts were guidelines and principles that help to maintain you. The philosopher believed so much inhumanity and realized that the heavens had laid paths for people to use to heaven and only a person makes the choice of the road to heaven either through the bad or good.
Work Cited
Smith, R. (2013). Mapping China and Managing the World (pp. 89-111). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Thyer, B. A. (2010). Cultural diversity and social work practice. Springfield: Charles C Thomas
