Shu-Shan Lee

In “Democracy and Its Critics,” Robert Dahl argues that guardianship has been a perennial anti-democratic force throughout history, with Confucianism as one of its most influential expressions. While much research has focused on the links between ancient Confucianism and guardianship, this study shifts to contemporary China. Through thematic analysis of official and intellectual discourses, it investigates how modern actors invoke Confucian values to challenge Western democratic ideals and practices. This project provides a framework for studying the politics of guardianship and offers valuable insights into the global tension between guardianship and democracy.