The stability of the Chinese civilisation pre-1900 compared to the instability of European civilisation in the same period is striking.
In Europe, there were constant revolutions and religious wars.
Another striking difference is the power and influence that scholars, artists, and literati exercised in Chinese society and in government.
One of the reasons is Chinese writing. Despite the invention of printing by the Chinese, printing never had the effect it had in spreading knowledge, diversity of thoughts, and literacy among the masses in Europe.
The Chinese writing required years of study and hard work. In consequence, the scholars and literati exercised a strong grip on the culture and thought in China, which contributed to the stability one finds in the Chinese civilisation.
Confucianism also contributed to stability in China with its emphasis on social virtues.
China was also more tolerant of religious diversity than Europe. Buddhism, a foreign religion, existed in reasonable harmony with Confucianism and Taoism.
Jews, Muslims, and Christians were able to live peacefully under the patronage of the Chinese emperors.
Jews, in particular, were not forced to live in ghettos compared to the Jews in Europe.
LWH, 10 August 2025, 11 pm