DOCSLIB.ORG

Confronting Confucian Understandings of the Christian Doctrine of Salvation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Confronting Confucian Understandings of the Christian Doctrine of Salvation Confronting Confucian Understandings of the Christian Doctrine of Salvation ---- A Systematic Theological Analysis of the Basic Problems in the Confucian-Christian dialogue Paulos Huang Helsinki 2006 2 Confronting Confucian Understandings of the Christian Doctrine of Salvation ---- A Systematic Theological Analysis of the Basic Problems in the Confucian-Christian dialogue Paulos Huang Academic dissertation to be publicly discussed, by due persmission of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki in Auditorium XII, on October 28th, at 10 o’clock am. Department of Systematic Theology, University of Helsinki Helsinki 2006 3 © Paulos Huang ISBN 952-92-0895-2 Printed by Edita Prima Oy Cover: Johanna Huang Helsinki, Finland 2006 4 Contents Abstract …………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Preface and Acknowledgments ……………………………………………………..10 1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………. … 14 1.1 Aim ………………………………………..…………………………………….14 1.2 Sources ………………………………..……………………………… .…..…. 20 1.3 Method ……………………….………………………………… ………..…... 29 1.4 Previous research … ……………….………………………………………...… 30 1.5 Motivation ………………………...……………………………………………..41 1.5.1 Confucians as the main dialogue partner to Christians in China ……. …. 41 1.5 2 The contemporary cultural regeneration bring Confucianism and Christianity to the same agenda ……………………………………..44 1.6 Structure and notational convention …………………………..……………….. 49 2. The preconditions for the dialogue ..…………………………… ………….… 51 2.1 The legacy of Matteo Ricci for the Confucian-Christian dialogue …..………. 53 2.2 Confucianism ………………………………………………………….…….…. 57 2.3 The Confucians who have mostly commented on the Christian doctrine of salvation ………………………………………………….... 61 2.3.1 The Neo-Confucians (16th-17th centuries) and the representatives in this study ……. ………………………………………….…......... 61 2.3.2 The Cultural Nationalist Confucians (1920-1980) and the representatives in this study…………………………….………….… 65 2.3.3 The Modern Confucians (1980-) and the representatives in this study….. 68 5 2.4 The Christian concept of God in Chinese terms ……………………………….. 78 3. Confucian ideas of the Saviour in Christianity: The assimilation of God to the Chinese concepts of Shangdi 上帝 and Tian 天 .. ……...……..….………….… 88 3.1 Neo-Confucian ideas of the assimilation ………………………………………..91 3.1.1 Affirmative responses to the assimilation ………………………….… 91 3.1.2 Negative responses to the assimilation ………………………….….. 106 3.2 Cultural Nationalist Confucian ideas of the assimilation …………………. .... 117 3.3 Modern Confucian ideas of the assimilation ……………………………...….. 123 4. Confucian ideas of the object of salvation in Christianity: created humanity and its status ……………………………………………. 131 4.1 Human beings as part of creation…………..………………………………… 131 4.1.1 Neo-Confucian arguments …………………………………….…… 133 4.1.2 Cultural Nationalist Confucian arguments ………………………… 141 4.1.3 Modern Confucian arguments ………………………………… ..…. 152 4.2 The status of human beings ……………………………………. ……………. 165 4.2.1 Neo-Confucian arguments…………………………………..….…… 166 4.2.2 Cultural Nationalist- and Modern Confucian arguments ….… …… 170 5. Confucian ideas of the means of salvation in Christianity…… . .…….….... 183 5.1 The existence of transcendence in Confucianism …………………………...... 187 5.1.1 Neo-Confucian arguments ………………………………………….. 188 5.1.2 Cultural Nationalist Confucian arguments ……………………......... 193 5.1.3 Modern Boston Confucian arguments …………………………….... 197 5.1.4 Modern Christian Confucian arguments …………………….…..…. .205 5.2 The transcendence of the Christian God and that of the Chinese Heaven …..... 210 5.2.1 Neo- and Cultural Nationalist Confucian arguments: The Chinese Heaven as internal transcendence. …..……………..…. 212 6 5.2.2 Cultural Nationalist and Modern Confucian arguments: The Christian God as external transcendence ………..……..…….... 219 5.3 The superiority of the internal transcendence to the external transcendence … 232 5.3.1 The arguments of Cultural Nationalist Confucians ……………….... 233 5.3.2 The arguments of Modern Non-Christian Confucians .………… 240 5.3.3 The arguments of Modern Christian Confucians ………………….. 245 6. Basic Problems in the Confucian-Christian dialogue …………………..…. 259 6.1 The tacit difference of the ways of thinking …………………… …..… …….. 260 6.2 Four obstacles in the Confucian-Christian dialogue …………… ……….…... 264 6.2.1 The theological perspective: the monist unity between Heaven and humanity …………………….264 6.2.2 The spiritual viewpoint: the Christianity as spiritual opium ……. 267 6.2.3 The political viewpoint: Christianity as an element of political turmoil ………………..… 268 6.2.4 The ethical viewpoint: the Christian concept of God conflicting with Confucian ethics ……………………...…… … …………………... 271 6.3 Affirmative elements in the Confucian-Christian dialogue …….…...……...... 276 Summary ……..……………………………………………..…………...………. 279 Appendices ………………………………………………………………….…… 284 I. The Five Classics ……………………………………………………………..…284 II. The Four Books …………………………………………………………….….. 287 III. The eleven quotations of Ricci ……………………………………….…….….289 IV. The degeneration from theism to humanism ……..……………… …….…... 291 V. The nine horizons of Tang Junyi’s Confucianism ………………………..….... 297 VI. The Taiji 太极 ……………………………………………………………..…. 300 VII. The Li 理 and Qi 气 …………………………………………………….…. 303 7 VIII. Two wings of Neo-Confucianism . …………………………………….…. 306 Bibliography …………………………………………………………………...… 307 Primary sources ………………………………………………………… …..… . 307 Literature ……………………………………………… …………………… …… 320 Index …………...………………………………………………………….…….... 344 Abstract 8 The aim of the present study is to analyze Confucian understandings of the Christian doctrine of salvation in order to find the basic problems in the Confucian-Christian dialogue. I will approach the task via a systematic theological analysis of four issues in order to limit the thesis to an appropriate size. They are analyzed in three chapters as follows: 1. The Confucian concept concerning the existence of God. Here I discuss mainly the issue of assimilation of the Christian concept of “God” to the concepts of “Sovereign on High” (Shangdi 上帝) and “Heaven” (Tian 天) in Confucianism. 2. The Confucian understanding of the object of salvation and its status in Christianity. 3. The Confucian understanding of the means of salvation in Christianity. Before beginning this analysis it is necessary to clarify the vast variety of controversies, arguments, ideas, opinions and comments expressed in the name of Confucianism; thus, clear distinctions among different schools of Confucianism are given in chapter 2. In the last chapter I will discuss the results of my research in this study by pointing out the basic problems that will appear in the analysis. The results of the present study provide conclusions in three related areas: the tacit differences in the ways of thinking between Confucians and Christians, the basic problems of the Confucian-Christian dialogue, and the affirmative elements in the dialogue. In addition to a summary, a bibliography and an index, there are also eight appendices, where I have introduced important background information for readers to understand the present study. Preface and Acknowledgments 9 Writing a dissertation is a major adventure and this is doubly so when it is my second one. Around sixteen years ago when I first got to know Christianity, I started a desire to write something on Chinese Christianity. Life has its interesting twists and turns and so before I could write a dissertation on the Christian theology, I have had the opportunity to spend over ten years in East Asian studies (especially Chu culture and Daoism). In addition to my academic life, I have experienced many sweet memories and also tears with Chinese Christians in Finland. I have dedicated my heart and energies to church life here. However this busy life has not stopped me desiring to develop a theological reflection to aid practical solutions to various tensions in the Chinese Christian life. These tensions have brought me pain, but also excitement and joy. The more I study Christian theology, the more I have become convinced of how deeply Confucianism is embedded in my spirituality, my soul and my body. Subtly and powerfully, Confucianism works inside me. “Self-transcendence”, “self- cultivation” and “to do good” have always been my native religious language. However, I am a Lutheran Christian, who stresses always sola gratia and sola fide. How can a self-cultivation-seeking-Confucian be a Lutheran Christian? Therefore, this religious dialogue is not a purely theoretical issue for me, it lives in me with tears and joy. When I started to study Christianity in China, my initial title was “Can China accept Christianity?” My experience of church life led me later to focus on the doctrine of “salvation”. As a Lutheran Christian, theoretically I understand well that “salvation” is absolutely the work of God rather than the result of human merit. Nonetheless, it has really not been easy to grasp the relationship between justification and sanctification in real life. Confucian self-transcendence seems so natural and normal to me and for many other Chinese Christians. Justification by faith and through grace becomes so easily just a mere theory. Therefore, like so many other Chinese Christians, in practical life, I am afraid of being lazy in fulfilling my own duty, which has been endowed to me by Heaven/God. Every time when I focus on my own deeds, I realize that sola gratia is my hope. Once I have peace and certainty with salvation, I will again paradoxically try to self-cultivate. I have
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Quint : an Interdisciplinary Quarterly from the North 1
    the quint : an interdisciplinary quarterly from the north 1 Editorial Advisory Board the quint volume ten issue two Moshen Ashtiany, Columbia University Ying Kong, University College of the North Brenda Austin-Smith, University of Martin Kuester, University of Marburg an interdisciplinary quarterly from Manitoba Ronald Marken, Professor Emeritus, Keith Batterbe. University of Turku University of Saskatchewan the north Donald Beecher, Carleton University Camille McCutcheon, University of South Melanie Belmore, University College of the Carolina Upstate ISSN 1920-1028 North Lorraine Meyer, Brandon University editor Gerald Bowler, Independent Scholar Ray Merlock, University of South Carolina Sue Matheson Robert Budde, University Northern British Upstate Columbia Antonia Mills, Professor Emeritus, John Butler, Independent Scholar University of Northern British Columbia David Carpenter, Professor Emeritus, Ikuko Mizunoe, Professor Emeritus, the quint welcomes submissions. See our guidelines University of Saskatchewan Kyoritsu Women’s University or contact us at: Terrence Craig, Mount Allison University Avis Mysyk, Cape Breton University the quint Lynn Echevarria, Yukon College Hisam Nakamura, Tenri University University College of the North Andrew Patrick Nelson, University of P.O. Box 3000 Erwin Erdhardt, III, University of Montana The Pas, Manitoba Cincinnati Canada R9A 1K7 Peter Falconer, University of Bristol Julie Pelletier, University of Winnipeg Vincent Pitturo, Denver University We cannot be held responsible for unsolicited Peter Geller,
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape Analysis of Geographical Names in Hubei Province, China
    Entropy 2014, 16, 6313-6337; doi:10.3390/e16126313 OPEN ACCESS entropy ISSN 1099-4300 www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy Article Landscape Analysis of Geographical Names in Hubei Province, China Xixi Chen 1, Tao Hu 1, Fu Ren 1,2,*, Deng Chen 1, Lan Li 1 and Nan Gao 1 1 School of Resource and Environment Science, Wuhan University, Luoyu Road 129, Wuhan 430079, China; E-Mails: [email protected] (X.C.); [email protected] (T.H.); [email protected] (D.C.); [email protected] (L.L.); [email protected] (N.G.) 2 Key Laboratory of Geographical Information System, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Luoyu Road 129, Wuhan 430079, China * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel: +86-27-87664557; Fax: +86-27-68778893. External Editor: Hwa-Lung Yu Received: 20 July 2014; in revised form: 31 October 2014 / Accepted: 26 November 2014 / Published: 1 December 2014 Abstract: Hubei Province is the hub of communications in central China, which directly determines its strategic position in the country’s development. Additionally, Hubei Province is well-known for its diverse landforms, including mountains, hills, mounds and plains. This area is called “The Province of Thousand Lakes” due to the abundance of water resources. Geographical names are exclusive names given to physical or anthropogenic geographic entities at specific spatial locations and are important signs by which humans understand natural and human activities. In this study, geographic information systems (GIS) technology is adopted to establish a geodatabase of geographical names with particular characteristics in Hubei Province and extract certain geomorphologic and environmental factors.
    [Show full text]
  • Naturalism in the Philosophies of Dewey and Zhuangzi
    Naturalism in the Philosophies of Dewey and Zhuangzi: The Live Creature and the Crooked Tree by Christopher C. Kirby A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy Department of Philosophy College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Co-Major Professor: John P. Anton Ph.D. Co-Major Professor: Martin Schönfeld Ph.D. Sidney Axinn Ph.D. Alexander Levine Ph.D. Date of Approval: December 12, 2008 Keywords: Pragmatism, Daoism, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics © Copyright 2008 Christopher C. Kirby Dedication For P.J. – “Nature speaks louder than the call from the minaret.” (Inayat Khan, Bowl of Saki) Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................. ii Abstract ..................................................................................................................... iii Preface: West Meets East........................................................................................... 1 Dewey’s Encounter with China ............................................................................. 6 Chapter One: What is Naturalism? .......................................................................... 15 Naturalism and the Organic Point of View .......................................................... 16 Nature and the Language of Experience .............................................................. 22 Naturalistic Strategies in Philosophy ..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ricci (Matteo)
    Ricci (Matteo) 利瑪竇 （1552-1610） Matteo Ricci‟s portrait painted on the 12th May, 1610 (the day after Ricci‟s death 11-May-1610) by the Chinese brother Emmanuel Pereira (born Yu Wen-hui), who had learned his art from the Italian Jesuit, Giovanni Nicolao. It is the first oil painting ever made in China by a Chinese painter.The age, 60 (last word of the Latin inscription), is incorrect: Ricci died during his fifty-eighth year. The portrait was taken to Rome in 1614 and displayed at the Jesuit house together with paintings of Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier. It still hangs there. Matteo Ricci was born on the 6th Oct 1552, in central Italy, in the city of Macerata, which at that time was territory of the Papal State. He first attended for seven years a School run by the Jesuit priests in Macerata, later he went to Rome to study Law at the Sapienza University, but was attracted to the religious life. In 1571 ( in opposition to his father's wishes), he joined the Society of Jesus and studied at the Jesuit college in Rome (Collegio Romano). There he met a famous German Jesuit professor of mathematics, Christopher Clavius, who had a great influence on the young and bright Matteo. Quite often, Ricci in his letters from China will remember his dear professor Clavius, who taught him the basic scientific elements of mathematics, astrology, geography etc. extremely important for his contacts with Chinese scholars. Christopher Clavius was not a wellknown scientist in Europe at that time, but at the “Collegio Romano”, he influenced many young Jesuits.
    [Show full text]
  • Orthography of Early Chinese Writing: Evidence from Newly Excavated Manuscripts
    IMRE GALAMBOS ORTHOGRAPHY OF EARLY CHINESE WRITING: EVIDENCE FROM NEWLY EXCAVATED MANUSCRIPTS BUDAPEST MONOGRAPHS IN EAST ASIAN STUDIES SERIES EDITOR: IMRE HAMAR IMRE GALAMBOS ORTHOGRAPHY OF EARLY CHINESE WRITING: EVIDENCE FROM NEWLY EXCAVATED MANUSCRIPTS DEPARTMENT OF EAST ASIAN STUDIES, EÖTVÖS LORÁND UNIVERSITY BUDAPEST 2006 The present volume was published with the support of the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation. © Imre Galambos, 2006 ISBN 963 463 811 2 ISSN 1787-7482 Responsible for the edition: Imre Hamar Megjelent a Balassi Kiadó gondozásában (???) A nyomdai munkálatokat (???)a Dabas-Jegyzet Kft. végezte Felelős vezető Marosi Györgyné ügyvezető igazgató CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. vii Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER ONE FORMER UNDERSTANDINGS ..................................................................................... 11 1.1 Traditional views ........................................................................................... 12 1.1.1 Ganlu Zishu ........................................................................................ 13 1.1.2 Hanjian .............................................................................................. 15 1.2 Modern views ................................................................................................ 20 1.2.1 Noel Barnard .....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Break out Sessions Speakers for October 3, 2019
    BREAK OUT SESSIONS SPEAKERS FOR OCTOBER 3, 2019 (This schedule may be subject to changes. Please see the final schedule at the conference itself.) Oct. 3, 2019, Aula 10 (coordinated by Joseph d’Amecourt, OP) 2:30 pm Emmanuel Durand, OP “Who delineates the Impossible?” In this talk, I will attempt to bring omnipotence and almightiness together. Searching for integration and unity relies on the assumption that reason and faith aim at the very same truth who is God's Wisdom, embodied in the created order and in the Paschal mystery. Instead of fostering a sharp divide between almightiness and omnipotence, I will argue that the very same attribute of the One God might be approached by both philosophers and theologians, relying on their different kinds of judgement. The key to this epistemological argument will be provided by Thomas Aquinas analysis of the possible and the impossible. 3:00 pm Gaston LeNotre “On the Merely Metaphysical Impossibility of the Annihilation of Creatures” Since the predicate in the statement, “the creature does not exist at all” does not contradict its subject, Thomas argues that God must be able to reduce the creature to nothing (De Potentia q. 5, a. 3). Thomas nevertheless also affirms that the created universe will never be annihilated. In the same texts where he talks about God’s ability to annihilate creatures, Thomas also outlines the reality that God does not and would not annihilate creatures. The distinction sometimes relies upon considering God’s power absolutely and considering God’s power in relation to His wisdom or foreknowledge (Quodlibet IV, q.
    [Show full text]
  • Christian Scholar Xu Guangqi and the Spread of Catholicism in Shanghai
    Asian Culture and History; Vol. 7, No. 1; 2015 ISSN 1916-9655 E-ISSN 1916-9663 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education Christian Scholar Xu Guangqi and the Spread of Catholicism in Shanghai Shi Xijuan1 1 Doctoral Programme, Graduate School of Humanities, Kyushu University, Japan Correspondence: Shi Xijuan, Doctoral Programme, Graduate School of Humanities, Kyushu University, Japan. E-mail: [email protected] Received: October 28, 2014 Accepted: November 6, 2014 Online Published: November 13, 2014 doi:10.5539/ach.v7n1p199 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ach.v7n1p199 Abstract Xu Guangqi, one of the first and most notable Christian scholars in the Ming Dynasty, cast a profound influence on the spread of Catholicism in Shanghai. After his conversion, Xu Guangqi successfully proselytized all of his family members by kinship and affinity, a fact that was foundational to the development of Jesuit missionary work in Shanghai. His social relationships with pupils, friends, and officials also significantly facilitated the proliferation of Catholicism in Shanghai. This paper expands the current body of literature on Chinese–Christian scholar Xu Guangqi and his role in the spread of Catholicism in Shanghai during the late Ming and early Qing. Though there are several extant studies on this topic, most of them focus on Xu’s personal achievements and neglect the areas that this paper picks up: the role of Xu’s family and social status in his proliferate evangelism, and the longevity his influence had even beyond his own time. Through this approach, this paper aims to attain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Xu Guangqi’s influence on the dissemination and perdurance of Catholicism in Shanghai.
    [Show full text]
  • Rebuilding the "Eastern Country of Ritual Propriety": Decorum Camps, Sŏwŏn Stays, and the Confucian Revival in Contemporary Korea
    Rebuilding the "Eastern Country of Ritual Propriety": Decorum Camps, Sŏwŏn Stays, and the Confucian Revival in Contemporary Korea Uri Kaplan Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies, Volume 18, Number 1, April 2018, pp. 59-84 (Article) Published by Duke University Press For additional information about this article https://muse.jhu.edu/article/694920 [ Access provided at 26 Sep 2021 11:58 GMT with no institutional affiliation ] Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies Vol.18 No.1 © 2018 Academy of East Asian Studies. 59-84 DOI: 10.21866/esjeas.2018.18.1.003 Rebuilding the “Eastern Country of Ritual Propriety”: Decorum Camps, So˘wo˘n Stays, and the Confucian Revival in Contemporary Korea Uri KAPLAN Frieberg Center for East Asian Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem ABSTRACT Amidst the widespread recent academic interest in the Confucian revival in contemporary China, it is easy to miss comparable developments taking place in neighboring South Korea. Through an analysis of official documentation and multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork, this paper aims to introduce the current revitalization of ancient Confucian schools and rites, and the boom in children’s decorum camps and other Confucian-related educational programs on the Korean peninsula. Examining some of the schedules and curriculums, the textbooks studied, modernized rituals, and the agendas of the Ministry of Culture, the Confucian Association, and the New Religious Movement that lead the reforms, I deliberate upon possible reasons for this trend taking place at this particular time, contemplate the attempts to rebrand Confucianism as culture for better marketing, and point out some of the curious tensions and ironies this resurgence entails.
    [Show full text]
  • Life, Thought and Image of Wang Zheng, a Confucian-Christian in Late Ming China
    Life, Thought and Image of Wang Zheng, a Confucian-Christian in Late Ming China Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung der Doktorwürde der Philosophischen Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Bonn vorgelegt von Ruizhong Ding aus Qishan, VR. China Bonn, 2019 Gedruckt mit der Genehmigung der Philosophischen Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn Zusammensetzung der Prüfungskommission: Prof. Dr. Dr. Manfred Hutter, Institut für Orient- und Asienwissenschaften (Vorsitzender) Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kubin, Institut für Orient- und Asienwissenschaften (Betreuer und Gutachter) Prof. Dr. Ralph Kauz, Institut für Orient- und Asienwissenschaften (Gutachter) Prof. Dr. Veronika Veit, Institut für Orient- und Asienwissenschaften (weiteres prüfungsberechtigtes Mitglied) Tag der mündlichen Prüfung：22.07.2019 Acknowledgements Currently, when this dissertation is finished, I look out of the window with joyfulness and I would like to express many words to all of you who helped me. Prof. Wolfgang Kubin accepted me as his Ph.D student and in these years he warmly helped me a lot, not only with my research but also with my life. In every meeting, I am impressed by his personality and erudition deeply. I remember one time in his seminar he pointed out my minor errors in the speech paper frankly and patiently. I am indulged in his beautiful German and brilliant poetry. His translations are full of insightful wisdom. Every time when I meet him, I hope it is a long time. I am so grateful that Prof. Ralph Kauz in the past years gave me unlimited help. In his seminars, his academic methods and sights opened my horizons. Usually, he supported and encouraged me to study more fields of research.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Collective Mobilization In
    THE ROLE OF COLLECTIVE MOBILIZATION IN THE DIVERGENCE OF THE RURAL ECONOMIES OF CHINA AND INDIA (1950-1990) by Burak Gürel A dissertation submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Baltimore, Maryland February, 2015 @ 2015 Burak Gürel All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The economic divergence of China and India in the post-1950 era has appeared as one of the most intriguing puzzles of comparative and historical social sciences in recent decades. In 1950, although both countries were very poor, China was much poorer, with a per capita GDP 38% less than that of India. This situation changed completely in the decades following Indian independence (1947) and the Chinese Revolution (1949). China’s economy caught up with India’s in 1978 and greatly surpassed it later on, making its per capita GDP 30% higher than India’s in 1990. The differential performance of their rural economies contributed significantly to this outcome. This study argues that this outcome was closely related to two countries’ differential performance in the development of physical infrastructure and human capital in the countryside. In China, the radical land reform of 1947-52 and the rural collectivization after 1952 eliminated the power of the rural elite, flattened the political economic terrain, and enabled the state to establish the rural collectives. By mobilizing unpaid labor and financial resources of the villagers through the mediation of the rural collectives, the Chinese state developed rural infrastructure, technology, and human capital at a pace and geographical scope that was far beyond its limited fiscal capacity.
    [Show full text]
  • Are There Lessons for Africa from China's
    WPS4463 POLICY RESEA R CH WO R KING PA P E R 4463 Public Disclosure Authorized Are There Lessons for Africa from China’s Success against Poverty? Public Disclosure Authorized Martin Ravallion Public Disclosure Authorized The World Bank Public Disclosure Authorized Development Research Group Office of the Director January 2008 POLICY RESEA R CH WO R KING PA P E R 4463 Abstract At the outset of China’s reform period, the country matters, two lessons stand out. The first is the importance had a far higher poverty rate than for Africa as a whole. of productivity growth in smallholder agriculture, Within five years that was no longer true. This paper which will require both market-based incentives and tries to explain how China escaped from a situation public support. The second is the role played by strong in which extreme poverty persisted due to failed and leadership and a capable public administration at all unpopular policies. While acknowledging that Africa levels of government. faces constraints that China did not, and that context This paper—a product of the Director's Office, Development Research Group—is part of a larger effort in the department to see what policy lessons for other countries can be drawn from the experiences of countries that have made substantial progress against poverty. Policy Research Working Papers are also posted on the Web at http://econ.worldbank.org. The author may be contacted at [email protected]. The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues.
    [Show full text]
  • The Influence of the Translator's Culture On
    THE INFLUENCE OF THE TRANSLATOR’S CULTURE ON THE TRANSLATION OF SELECTED RHETORICAL DEVICES IN CONFUCIUS’ ANALECTS by CHEN-SHU FANG A dissertation submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master’s in Language Practice Department of Linguistics and Language Practice Faculty of the Humanities University of the Free State January 2016 Supervisor: Prof. K. Marais External co-supervisor: Prof. Y. Ma i DECLARATION I, Chen-Shu Fang, hereby declare that this dissertation submitted by me for a Master’s degree in Language Practice at the University of the Free State is my own independent work that has not previously been submitted by me at another university or faculty. Furthermore, I do cede copyright of this dissertation in favour of the University of the Free State. Signature Date ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I wish to express my immense gratitude to the Almighty God for making this dissertation possible by providing me with wisdom, good health, courage, knowledgeable supervisors and a supportive family. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to the following people who contributed to the preparation and production of this dissertation: I want to sincerely thank Prof. Kobus Marais, my supervisor, for his support, warm-hearted encouragement, invaluable advice and informative suggestions throughout this project. Without his input, completing this dissertation would have been impossible. I admire his knowledge and personality. His character guided me throughout the writing process. I am also grateful to Prof. Yue Ma, my co-supervisor, for his good advice, assistance and insightful comments, especially about the cultural and rhetorical parts of the study.
    [Show full text]