The thought of Confucius and Confucianism on “the policy of harmonious benevolence” and on “harmonious but different” is of significance to the administrator of a country and to the leaders of the developed countries (particularly the United States) in the world today.
A “policy of benevolence” “running the country and bringing peace to the world” requires that a “policy of benevolence”, and a “benevolent government” should be implemented, and “rule by force of dictators” should not be practiced. The practice of “policy of benevolence” and “benevolent government” should be carried out, which makes it possible for the coexistence and development of different cultures. “Rule by the force of dictator” will evoke the conflicts of civilizations, and thereby leading cultures toward unilateralism and forming cultural hegemony.
If Confucius’ theory of “benevolence” is used for handling the relations between different civilizations, then there will be no conflicts and even war between different civilizations, and the “coexistence of civilizations” will be realized.
See also: Sam Crane‘s comment on his The Useless Tree blog.
