Social Transformation of Chinese Society and Its Influence on Internal Ethical and Cultural Norms

ABSTRACT The research goal is to portray and justify the role of the Confucian paradigm, its place, and its significance in the social development of modern China. The research method is based on a comparative analysis of the modern historiography of the research problem, including the influence of Confucianism on the development of modern Chinese society. The empirical research examines contemporary demographic and economic changes with a focus on the revival of New Confucianism. Modernisation and urbanisation often erode traditional values, which is one of the key problems of contemporary society not only in China but also worldwide. Since the beginning of the 21st century, China's urban population has increased from 36.2% to 66.2%. Urban industrial culture fosters a crisis of social values and norms, which, in the case of China, largely results from the rapid and contradictory development of the country during the reform years. Research findings indicate that in contemporary Chinese society, the family as a social institution continues to play a more significant role compared to religion. This study can be utilised for the development of state concepts for socially sustainable societal development, as well as for further exploration of this issue.