HOW CONFUCIANISM GUIDES CHINA'S SOCIAL CREDIT

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) utilizes Confucian philosophy to justify and structure its pervasive social credit system (SCS), which scores citizens based on various behaviors. Launched in 2014 and expanding nationwide, the SCS is presented by the CCP not merely as a modern surveillance tool but as an application of ancient moral governance, specifically referencing Confucian ideals such as li (propriety), de (virtue), and chengxin (trustworthiness). The source explains that the system adapts the Confucian hierarchy and use of public shame—like blacklists for low scores—to enforce compliance and foster a "harmonious society." While critics point out that this is a selective appropriation that ignores Confucian opposition to authoritarian rule, the CCP counters that technology makes it possible to scale these ethics efficiently to manage its large population. Ultimately, the SCS is portrayed as an example of the CCP’s "Sinicization" of governance, using Confucian teachings to provide cultural legitimacy for digital control and bolster societal compliance.