Holding Debates for the Discussion of Different Views and Reaching Consensus:The Concept of Political Consultation and its Institutional Practice in the Song Dynasty
As the political conception mostly tinted with"early modern spirit"in the Song Dynasty,"holding debates for the discussion of different views"has gained few emphases from historians and has been interpreted as the Monarchical Politics of managing officials by distributing power among them,and as the source of and party strife and chaos.In fact,from the perspective of concept construction and system operation and maintenance,"holding debates for the discussion of different views"can be regarded as a political arrangement of a consultative nature which encourages the expression,competition,and consultation of diversified opinions,reaches consensus through pluralistic deliberative discussions,and"holding discussions concerning national policies and principles".The Song Dynasty formed the consultative politics framework guaranteed by rational norms and The Official Communication System,connecting"public comments"with public opinion,and balancing"different views"and"reaching consensus"to promote the establishment of consensus and order through the practice of"holding debates for the discussion of different views"to enhance the legitimacy,rationality and effectiveness of power.This politics has been operated and tested by The Northern and Southern Song Dynasties for more than three hundred years and can provide a solid ideological resource for the construction of a modern consultative politics system despite its historical limitations in its value presuppositions and system implementation.
holding debates for the discussion of different viewsgathering to discuss national affairspolitical consultationmature discussionsmultiple consensus
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