2500 years ago, Confucius spoke of the ideal “Great Unity” (大同, Datong) society. After centuries of turmoil, this ideal has already been partially realized in some countries. Confucius described the Datong society as: “When the Way prevails, the world is shared by all; select the virtuous and capable; cultivate trust and harmony; people do not favor only their own relatives or children; the elderly are cared for and able to contribute; the young are nurtured; widows, orphans, the disabled, and the destitute all have support; men have roles, women have families; goods are not discarded thoughtlessly; force is not withheld; plots are not hatched, theft and banditry do not occur; outer doors need not be closed.” This is the Great Unity.

I. Some countries have partially realized Confucius’ ideal

Confucius’ vision has been partially realized in developed Northwestern European societies such as Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany. In the East, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore have also realized parts of it. Hong Kong, however, has been re-rededicated under Xi Jinping’s harsh Communist rule in recent years and can no longer be counted.

In these societies, Confucius’ ideals are reflected: filial piety and parental affection, men fulfilling their responsibilities, women having proper homes, the strong contributing, the young growing, merit-based selection of the capable, harmony between ruler and minister, trust among friends, proper care for life and death, elders cared for, orphans and the disabled supported, everyone contributing their effort, materials used efficiently, no need for private hoarding, no theft on the roads, doors left unlocked, hearts harmonious, society peaceful, in accordance with the Way.

II. Confucian harmonious politics surpasses two-party politics

Confucius advocated that “harmony is precious” (和为贵). His concept of “harmonious governance” persisted in every dynasty until Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing. Confucius opposed “forming factions for private gain” (党), the very character itself carries the connotation of corruption. All dynasties avoided parties. Only after the Qing did the Soviet Communist Party invade, bringing the Communist system, and Stalin supported Mao Zedong to create a “great black party” that killed and burned its way to national power. Mao allowed only the Communist Party to exist and banned all other parties or associations.

Hu Jintao attempted to restore Confucian “harmonious politics.” In 2006, he published an article “Social Harmony is a Chinese Characteristic”, emphasizing that “power belongs to the people” as preparation for transforming party governance. In 2009, he supported the film Confucius, personally encouraging the production of the “Harmony” locomotive (270 units nationwide), promoting social and political harmony. In 2011, he approved the 9.5-meter, 9-ton Confucius statue at Tiananmen East, but three months later, Empress Dowager Jiang Zemin ordered its removal. The Confucian revival failed, and under Xi Jinping, the statue remains in storage at the museum.

In contrast, the U.S. has long maintained two-party politics. In 1947, Truman attempted to implement two-party politics in China, preventing Chiang Kai-shek from destroying the Communist Party and stopping Chiang’s troops for four months, hoping for Nationalist-Communist cooperation—but Mao’s counterattack quickly overturned the plan, and within two years, he seized nationwide power, leading to thirty years of disaster with tens of millions dead.

Even in the U.S., two-party politics is not perfect. In 1865, it failed to prevent the Civil War; Congress could not resolve issues, and the North-South war resulted in 650,000 deaths and the “Three Alls” strategy (kill all, burn all, loot all). Recently, Trump’s refusal to concede and his incitement of the Capitol riot exposed the weaknesses of U.S. democracy. Perhaps China’s revival of Confucian harmonious politics could surpass American two-party politics.

III. Restoring the Roosevelt-Cixi era of Sino-American relations

Once the Xi Communist regime falls and Hu Jintao’s Confucian revival begins, Confucian harmonious governance could restore Sino-American relations to the friendly, respectful relationship of Roosevelt and Cixi. In the early 1900s, Cixi sent a massive portrait to Roosevelt, received in a White House ceremony. Roosevelt sent his daughter to China, and Cixi personally welcomed her. Roosevelt even led the effort to reduce the Boxer Indemnity, funding Chinese students to study in the U.S. Relations were very harmonious. Only Mao’s Communist intervention in Korea deteriorated relations; Xi Jinping has continued Mao’s hostility toward America. Once Xi falls, relations can be restored to the Cixi-Roosevelt level.

IV. 200 years of harmonious Amish society in the U.S.

The 300,000 Amish immigrants from Germany in North America have maintained harmony for over 200 years. They preserve simple faith in God, reject modern electronics, and rarely commit crimes. When minor offenses occur, they resolve them within their communities. Generations of young people may temporarily leave to work outside but mostly return.

The Amish show that small communities can maintain Confucian-style harmony. China has a 2,000-year tradition of Confucian harmonious life. The Communist Party’s 70-year rule is but an instant in history. 1.4 billion people have long despised the Party and eagerly await the revival of Confucius.

Confucius’ vision of harmony is not only culturally timeless but also a practical model for modern governance, social order, and international peace. Once revived, it could surpass the limitations of party politics, restore social trust, and guide China—and potentially the world—toward a more harmonious era.