Mencius on the Moral Foundation of Political Power:A Theoretical Perspective of the Dichotomy of Legitimacy and Justification
The moral foundation of political power is essential for the emergence and survival of political rule.Mencius,living in an era marked by the disintegration of social order and the erosion of principles,systematically discoursed on this statement.In the political system constructed by Mencius,the hierarchy of political roles,the structure of political space,and the hierarchy of political power are correspondingly aligned.The monarch stands as the political subject,the real owner,and the actual executor of political power,while the people are the objects and targets of political governance.The political power of the monarch is"bestowed by Heaven",and the sacred"mandate of Heaven"serves as the foundation for its legitimacy;its manifestation of justification lies in the desirable"benevolent governance"and the voluntary"people's allegiance",achieved through the exercise of political power.In response to the urgent request to rebuild political order,Mencius focused on the justification of how to implement"benevolent governance"and secure"people's allegiance",which he regarded as the most effective way for the feudal princes to unite the nation.However,Mencius's intentional or unintentional neglect of legitimacy resulted in insufficient reflections on the utility and the limits of justification.
Menciusmandate of heavenbenevolent governancepeople's allegiancelegitimacyjustifica-tion
万方数据
