Closing reception - On the Confucian communist comeback in contemporary China

Few Chinese intellectuals and political reformers turned to Confucianism and communism for political inspiration at the end of the twentieth century. But the traditions have mounted remarkable comebacks in mainland China. What explains the return of Confucianism and communism? And what are the implications for Chinese academia and the political system?

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking closing keynote on the Confucian Communist comeback in contemporary China. Drawing on his new book The Dean of Shandong (Princeton, 2023) -- "an inside view of Chinese academia and what it reveals about China's political system", selected as the FT's Best Summer Book in 2023 -- Daniel A. Bell will attempt to answer these questions.

Professor Bell will be in conversation with Professor Astrid Nordin, Lau Chair of Chinese International Relations. Daniel Bell will be delivering his keynote virtually. 

*This event will be followed by a drinks reception with music by the SOAS Chinese Silk and Bamboo ensemble - join us for canapes and networking. 

Speakers

Daniel A. Bell (貝淡寧) is Professor, Chair of Political Theory within the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong. He served as Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University (Qingdao) from 2017 to 2022. His books include The Dean of Shandong (2023), Just Hierarchy (co-authored with Wang Pei, 2020), The China Model (2015), The Spirit of Cities (co-authored with Avner de-Shalit, 2012), China’s New Confucianism (2008), Beyond Liberal Democracy (2007), and East Meets West (2000), all published by Princeton University Press. He is also the author of Communitarianism and Its Critics (Oxford University Press, 1993). 

Astrid Nordin holds the Lau Chair of Chinese International Relations in the Lau China Institute. She is also Senior Fellow of the Institute for Social Futures, and Associate Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.