Role of Emperor Mencius

History 8 China Review 100 Schools of Thought

Mencius believed that a ruler could not rule without the people's consent. He believed that the penalty for unpopular rule that the people objected meant that the emperor had lost the "mandate of heaven" and that the people had the duty of revolting against the emperor; the emperor was very replaceable. He said that anyone had the right to the scepter if the emperor did not listen to suggestions or run the country the way most people wanted it. Mencius believed that the emperor should reduce taxes and not impose high penalty or high taxes, because tyranny was the cause of many problems. Mencius also believed that the emperor must listen to the ministers and common people and consider their ideas and views important. Ministers were supposed to help the emperor from making mistakes, so Mencius believed that the emperor should listen to the ministers in order to successfully rule.

Sources:

Manual Page 183

[1]

Class Notes on April 25, 2013

Gwendelyn Butler