Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to show that there has been a strong tradition in Confucian political thought which criticizes and resists tyranny and even justifies revolta revolution against it, contrary to the perennial Western assumption that tyranny is fit suitable for for Asia. In order to do this, first of all, wWee will first examine the Aristotelian nonotion of tyranny in order to find out how Aristotle coupled tyranny and Asia were coupled in his nascent form of political Orientalism. After such examination,We will then we compare Aristotle's analysis of tyranny with the political thought of Mencius (孟子 372- 289 B.C.) to prove that there has also been a great long tradition in East Asia to checkchecking and controlcontrolling tyranny. In conclusion, tIn order to undertake such comparison, first, we examine Aristotle's analysis of tyranny in more detail. Then, we analyze Confucian analysis of tyranny focusing mainly upon Mencius's works, while comparing it with Aristotle's. This comparison will show that the Westcentric concept of Oriental despotism, which, which appeared in itsa pristine form in Aristotle and has been inherited and further strengthenedreinforced by modern and contemporary Western thinkers since Montesquieu, might not apply to the Confucian tradition of East Asia.