Sovereignty from Confucian perspectives

Wen-Chen Chang and Pei-Jung Li

Chapter 9 in Research Handbook on the Law and Politics of Sovereignty, 2026, pp 145-159 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter explores and contrasts two fundamental concepts of sovereignty: Westphalian sovereignty and Confucian sovereignty. It begins by outlining the Westphalian system, which emphasizes territorial sovereignty and the equality of states – a value-neutral framework that emerged from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. It then introduces Confucian sovereignty, an ancient Asian philosophy rooted in political morality and virtuous governance, based on the concept of Tianxia (‘all under Heaven’), which envisions a hierarchical, yet harmonious order guided by the ethical principles of Li (rituals and proper conduct).

Keywords: Confucian sovereignty; Tianxia; Westphalian sovereignty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803926346
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