By SAM CRANE [The Useless Tree] – It’s true that Confucius stands for a meritocracy of sorts. And I agree with those Confucian modernizers that say full inclusion and participation of women in public life is completely consistent with Confucian principles (even though the historical uses of Confucianism in China were powerfully patriarchal). A modern Confucian meritocracy would include women.

But there are a couple of problems when we think further about the extent to which the current Chinese experience and practice of meritocracy might impress and attract people in foreign countries (which is what soft power is ultimately all about). A simple question: is the PRC right now a beacon of meritocracy?

One of the things that is quite noticeable about PRC public administration in recent years is corruption, officials using their public offices for personal gain. Premiere Wen Jiabao gave a speech last month that outlined the problem:

According to Wen, a sound market environment with fair competition can only be created when the government uses laws and regulations to manage various market entities, provide services for them and ensure their rights.

The implication, which will ring true for many Chinese and many foreigners who follow Chinese politics, is that the PRC’s political economy does not ensure “fair competition.” Many (not all) people in positions of power are not the best and the brightest. They are political loyalists who know that their adherence to Party hegemony provides a cover for their malfeasance. It is a fundamental political-structural-problem…

Continued at The Useless Tree | More Chronicle & Notices.