Paper/Speech Details of Conference Program for the 18th NISPAcee Annual Conference Program Overview IV. Working Group on PA Reform Author(s) Frits Van Den Berg Patom utrecht Netherlands Title Reflection on reform - state reform theories File Paper files are available only for conference participants, please login first. Presenter Abstract The short article I will prepare for the Nispacee conference , working group IV, presents the first results of a research project directed towards analyzing the implicit assumptions in most to-days publications on state reform. The approach in the project, which started in the summer of 2009, is to analyze literature on state functioning and state reform as discussed in a number of traditional Chinese publications. Leading question is whether the assumptions and recommendations on reform mentioned in those traditions are also part of today’s publications. If not, than might this be an indication of an implicit assumption in the actual theory on reform. Examples of the traditions which will be included are 1. Classical Taoism in China ( mainly using Zhuang Zi, as translated into Dutch by Kristofer Schipper in 2007), 2 Confucianism as presented in the manual for government ( Huang Liu-Hung ( 1694) : A complete Book concerning Happiness and Benevolence ; a manual for local magistrates in Seventeenth Century China ; edition published by Djang Chu ; 1984 ) 3. Legalism as described by Lord Shang ( Shang Yang ; edition published Robert Wilkinson in 1998 ) The goal of the project is not to contribute to the understanding of these traditions themselves because the knowledge of the researcher is insufficient for such a study. Goal of the research is, as said, to use interpretations of these traditions as sources for finding blind spots in the actual discussions on reform processes. Example of the results of the research: Citation1: Zhuang Zi subchapter XII of chapter 12 of the edition published by Kristofer Schipper in 2007 “Tell me please, what is governance by a wise man ?” “Governance by a wise man?” asked Uncomplicated Mist “ In case of appointing a civil servant, he does not lose sight of what is proper; in case of giving orders he pays attention to competences; only after all circumstances are completely taken into consideration he start to act; his deeds and words are self evident to a level that the world changes spontaneously; he only has to make a gesture or to take a look at something and the population will join him from all directions. That is the governance by a wise man” Citation 2 Zhuang Zi subchapter II of chapter 7 of the edition published by Kristofer Schipper in 2007 Jianwu visited Crazy Jieyu, who asked him “what could Zhongshi tell you ?”. “That one said that a sovereign must himself formulate rules, models, rituals and institutions, in that case nobody will dare to be disobedient and try to shirk his civilizing influence”. “That is fake-virtue! If you want to create order in the world in this way, than can you also walk through the sea, makes holes in rivers or ask a mosquito to carry a mountain on his back. I ask you : if a holy man creates order, does he bother himself with outward appearances ? First take care that with yourself everything is in good order and only then act; to be sure that you can fulfill; that is all”l. Reflection The two quotations stresses the importance of the competences of the change agent. A wise change agent can create reform without resistance. In modern reform processes there is a sharp distinction between the expected results and the implementation. Decisions about starting a reform process are made independently of the available quality for implementing new ideas. However in some approaches attention is paid to the absorption capacity of the system to be changed Recommendation Before deciding to start a reform process content, absorption capacity and competences of involved change agents should be evaluated.
