Su Shi and Politics: Effect of the Philosophies and Teachings of the Poems of Su Shi on Chinese Citizens

Currently, China has built its reputation as a super economy and has been recognised as a nation that boasts power and unity. China has shown a strong economic and political presence on the global stage as a result. The basic pillars of China as a nation lie in its roots of history, literature, art, philosophy and sociocultural practices and ideologies. Among many renowned scholars, one scholar should be deemed aside from the rest of the literary figures in China’s rich history, that is, Su Shi (1037–1101) of the Song Dynasty. Su Shi was a versatile character who was a poet, writer, politician, calligrapher, painter and gastronome. His works not only portrayed the notions of individualistic growth but also resonated with the diverse society and the political resentments of the Song administration that contributed to the formation of the Chinese nation and national identity. This article employs a qualitative thematic textual analysis of 10 selected poems from the English translations of the poems of Su Shi to examine how the poetry and teachings of Su Shi have relevance in the present scenario of Chinese politics, which render the virtues of collective unity, righteous governance and cultural pride. Thus, the findings of the article have implications for studies in the matters of Chinese politics and the nationalisation of China.