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developed, resulting in a systemic change of official selection and appointment
from a process of recommendation and assessment to imperial examinations. It
was an extended version of a system used by King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty.

4 Confucianism in the Contemporary Era

After nearly a century of twists and turns in modern times, the social landscape
that had been based on a system that Confucian scholars played the three roles in
politics, humanities, and rural homeland had entirely disappeared.
There were historical circumstances that obliged Confucian scholars to take on
three roles. Politically, there was the monarchy and officialdom; culturally, society
was humanities-based, oriented toward morality and benevolent governance;
while economically, the society lived off the land. Since the end of feudal rule in
China, Confucianism’s political influence has been weakening. Through economic
and technological changes, China’s agricultural society has now transformed into
an industrial one. Even so, with 2000 or more years of traditions, Confucianism’s
dynamism can still be seen for it is deeply rooted in society.
In the lifestyle of and values held by modern-day Chinese people, we can
still see traces and influences of the system adopted in the Zhou and Han dy-
nasties. Even though we may not be aware of it, its influence does exist. For
instance, value is placed on education and the close relations between families.
Meanwhile Chinese society has also been influenced by the enlightenment and
revolution over the past century, plus a decade-long period of globalization and
market transformation. The latter has been more influential on society than
Confucianism.
Of course, Confucianism did not peter out with the abolition of the imperial
examination system and the imperial court. If Confucianism and the Confucian
School were to depend on politics to survive, they would have long since perished.
However, Confucianism is not this sort of ideology; it had existed before it was put
into political practice; it survived dynastic declines and historical political splits.
As a doctrine, it remained just as it had been, and even has advanced through the
challenges it faced.
After more than 100 years or so of being suppressed, Confucianism has seen
dramatic development in the last four decades, during which there were neither
wars, nor political movements. Besides the academic achievements it has made, it
has attracted more and more followers. While drawing on other civilizations, the
academia has developed multi-dimensional and creative interpretations of
Confucianism. Indeed, Confucianism has begun to revive, or in other words, it is
beginning to recover all its fine tenets. Today, the government is paying more