Social engineering in China

Abstract

Social engineering may sound as a new “science” for understanding the social patterns and behavior of the people as members of the state, but its roots can be found way in the past. Political philosophers from Confucius onward offered their understanding, analyses and prescription for sustaining social order. During the long and colorful history of China the notion of society and its development and relations has changed, but in some strange way kept its basic values, founded since ancient times. Even now, when China is the second world economy, the government initiates a program for control and social engineering over its subjects, that is nothing else but a reform observing the old Confucius idea for maintaining the social order using education and ethical conduct.