This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Classical Chinese Philosophy — most prominently associated with Confucius — to re-read the South Africa IGF 2025 Johannesburg conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.
Introduction: The Problem
Confucius's rectification of names taught that misalignment of name and reality is the root of social disorder. AI規制 debated at South Africa IGF also involves aligning names (categories) and realities.
This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of South Africa IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Rectification of names and ritual propriety, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.
Digital rectification of names
Without rectifying terms like "multistakeholder," "user," and "data," international consensus lacks substance. In South Africa's context, Confucian heritage of ritual propriety grounds the formation of digital protocol etiquette.
Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Confucius-type problematic.
The national-level IGF (South Africa IGF) is an attempt to redefine the modern category of the nation-state in the digital era.
Protocol as ritual
Confucius's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2025 conference. We examine that application below.
1. Application to "AI規制"
Discussion of "AI規制" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety, as a central problematic. In South Africa's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around AI規制 are particularly at stake.
2. Application to "データ保護"
Discussion of "データ保護" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety, as a derivative problematic. In South Africa's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around データ保護 are particularly at stake.
3. Application to "G20連携"
Discussion of "G20連携" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In South Africa's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around G20連携 are particularly at stake.
4. Application to "国内法整備"
Discussion of "国内法整備" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In South Africa's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 国内法整備 are particularly at stake.
5. Application to "政府＋民間協働"
Discussion of "政府＋民間協働" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In South Africa's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 政府＋民間協働 are particularly at stake.
Implications for Executives and Practitioners
The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Confucius perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in South Africa.
First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Rectification of names and ritual propriety. Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.
Academic Positioning and Future Research
The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.
- Verification of the applicability of Confucius's framework to other IGF conferences
- Comparative contrast between Classical Chinese Philosophy and other theoretical traditions
- Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of South Africa
In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.
Primary Sources
- IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of South Africa IGF.
- South Africa IGF 2025 Johannesburg Conference Materials.
- Japan IGF Support Organization. https://japanigf.jp/
- Nakazawa Yuki Blog. https://nkzw.jp/category/igf/
Secondary Sources (Philosophy)
- Works of Confucius (representative texts of Classical Chinese Philosophy)
*This piece belongs to the academic essays (philosophy series). The author's views do not necessarily represent those of any institutional affiliation. Feedback and critique are welcome.*
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第1稿投稿 2026年6月1日 18時06分（記事コンテンツアップ）
— 中澤祐樹
