Review Chinese Exceptionalism by De-Essentialising China: Confucianism & Legalism

This article critically examines Chinese exceptionalism by de-essentialising dominant narratives that overly emphasise Confucian pacifism while overlooking the influence of Legalism. Exceptionalism, as conceptualised by Nymalm and Plagemann (2019), reflects a paradox between universality and particularity, with Chinese exceptionalism projecting a narrative of moral superiority rooted in Confucian ideals. However, this narrative often disregards the pragmatic, amoral principles of Legalism, which historically shaped China’s domestic and foreign policies. Through qualitative case studies of Confucianism and Legalism, this study deconstructs the myth of Chinese exceptionalism, revealing that China’s historical approach to power reflects a blend of Confucian rhetoric and Legalist realism. While Confucianism promotes ideals of harmonious inclusion and benevolent governance, Legalism advocates for strict control, legal order, and power maximisation. By highlighting the duality between these two philosophical traditions, this work challenges the notion that China’s rise will inherently follow a peaceful trajectory rooted in Confucian pacifism. Instead, it argues that contemporary Chinese foreign policy under Xi Jinping reflects a hybrid model, combining Confucian discourse with Legalist pragmatism. This deconstruction of Chinese exceptionalism provides policymakers and scholars with a more nuanced framework to assess China’s foreign policy and its implications for global power dynamics.