The founding of“Tian Xia” in the Zhou dynasty and its modern-day relevance.
While the first notions of Western political philosophy sprang from the formation of Greek city-states (known as “polis”), the ancient Chinese approached domestic and world politics in a different light. The scope in which the ancient Chinese theorized politics is unlike any other, comprising not individual entities but the universe as a coherent whole.
Politics, at the time of the Zhou Dynasty (the third alleged dynasty in Chinese history), panned around the concept of “天下” (Tian Xia)。 Tian Xia translates to “below the sky”, “下” (Xia) meaning below, and “天” (Tian) meaning sky. From a geopolitical standpoint, the concept of Tian Xia encompassed all charted and uncharted terrains under the sun, and from a sociological standpoint, it emphasizes humanity’s occupation of earth as a collective. In his book Investigations of the Bad World (political philosophy as first philosophy), the author Tingyang Zhao noted that not only does Tian Xia enable land to assume political significance apart from natural phenomena, but it also assembles the philosophical premise for a world order — — a world order that is universally recognized and applicable.
Tian Xia, which referred to everything that ever was below the sky, provides philosophers, theorists, and politicians with an infinitely extendable framework that embraces all peoples and sovereigns. Within Tian Xia, the Zhou dynasty regarded neighboring states as partners on different levels of cooperation, not foes or exploits.
The rationale behind this strategy is in part due to the Zhou’s limited military force. The Zhou started as a small tribe compared to its populous neighbors, so a policy of coercion and oppression was not viable. Instead, the Zhou dynasty attempted to diminish opposition within the large expanses of territories it acquired through the political framework of Tian Xia. Collaboration takes precedence over invasive exploitation, as the framework emphasizes the mutual benefits derived from collective endeavors. In its pursuit of mutual gain, Tian Xia seeks to transcend the limitations of traditional power dynamics, weaving a tapestry of cooperation that extends far beyond the boundaries of singular nation-states.
Even in a modern political landscape, the framework of Tian Xia can inform global and domestic political nuances. As a custodian of global harmony and a catalyst for collaboration, it strives to construct a dynamic framework that advances collective interests in the world. Within the realm of Tian Xia, there is little room for irreconcilable adversaries or subjugated conquests.
The Zhou embarked on their quest for a coherent world order without renouncing historical and cultural diversity. In the relay race of human history, it is now our turn to cultivate our global political ecosystem. As we navigate the fabric of social change and political caprice, we must brace ourselves for a shared future.
