Chen (2004)

Management > Asian Management > Lectures > Independent Research > Guanxi > Face > Renqing > Confucian relationships

Confucian relationships and guanxi

Since harmony is the key aspect of Confucianism, the individual is not seen as in isolation, but as part of a social group.

Ren (benevolence and humanness) is the highest value of virtue, dictating that one should act with others and cannot act alone

There are five fundamental relationships (ruler and subject, husband and wife, father and son, older brothers and younger brothers, and faithfulness between friends), which can be split into two classifications: predetermined and voluntarily constructed. Each defines the role of the "self".

1. Predetermined relationships - the self is underdeveloped, as one's role is dictated by one's status. For example, in families, children need to restrain themselves in order to keep harmony
2. Voluntary relationships - the self becomes more dynamic and active, building relationships and thus defining a role for oneself.