b. 1964
Daniel A. Bell (born 1964) is a Canadian political philosopher specializing in Confucian political theory and comparative political philosophy. He has been a leading voice in applying classical Chinese philosophy—particularly Confucianism—to contemporary debates about democracy, human rights, and political meritocracy. He has held appointments at Tsinghua University and Shandong University.
Developed a sustained philosophical defense of Confucian political meritocracy as an alternative to Western liberal democracy
Authored 'The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy' (2015), generating wide academic debate
Pioneered comparative work bridging classical Confucian ethics (Mencius, Xunzi) and contemporary political philosophy
Contributed to communitarian critiques of liberal individualism in the tradition of Walzer and MacIntyre
Edited major anthologies on Confucianism and human rights in East Asian political thought