The Theory of the ‘Mandate of Heaven’

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This paper seeks to discover the theory of the ‘Mandate of Heaven’ in relation to rise and fall of dynasties in China. An analysis and discussion will be made to determine whether the concept did help to bring about, or was devised to explain or justify, the rise and fall of dynasties. In addition the paper will also discuss how these ideas affected Chinese understanding of the historical process.

‘Mandate of Heaven’ is an important concept to understand the dynasties of China which may have an effect on its present way of governance. It message was delivered by Duke of Zhou dynasty to addressed to the officers of Shang Dynasty where the former was trying to justify Chou Dynasty their ousting of the Shang Dynasty. There are four principles that can be derived from the speech and it may include the following:

Nobody has the monopoly to rule and this right exists only if granted by Heaven.
Since there is an attribution of Heaven, it can only mean the presence of supreme authority.
Rulers must have virtues approved by Heaven.

On the basis of the above principles it could thus be argued that the concept did helped to help to explain or justify the fall of dynasties as hearers would come to realize the truth of the assertions made in the speech in terms of what were then experience as reality during those times. Part of the speech by the Duke of Zhou said: “We, possessors of the Zhou, assured in the mandate; led by Heaven’s brilliant authority, we brought about the king’s punishment, setting the mandate of Yin a right and [thereby] fulfilling [the will of] Di.”¹. Even from these simple words, one could find the principles thus enumerated earlier.

There is therefore basis to say that the speech did help explain or justify, the rise and fall of dynasties because it has a message that would confirm what really happened in reality. It was in fact a big a reality in the Chinese history where they had different dynasties even after the Zhou Dynasty that made the speech addressed to the Shang Dynasty. It was in effect portending of what will happen they would be subsequent dynasties

Since nobody has the monopoly to rule and this right exists only if granted by Heaven, the second principle about the presence of supreme authority and the third which about virtues of rulers actually flow from the first principle. In this sense therefore, Heaven would necessarily bless the authority of a just ruler, but at the same stops that of unjust ruler in case of displeasure.

As a concept, it appears that ‘the Mandate of Heaven’ accepts time limitations, except a performance standard that is implied present based on premise of having given the authority. This may be evident by the fact that the Duke of Zhou in the speech has explained to the people of Shang, that had their king delivered well according to standard about the use of power, the said kings Mandate would not have been taken away. This justification therefore gives due recognition to other dynasties where their legitimate emperor were not of noble birth. This was proven in the case of powerful Han dynasty and Ming dynasty despite having founded by people of modest birth.

In may then be observed that Chinese political ideas have developed further from this concept of Mandate and the people have therefore to the inclination to link times of floods or famines as divine signs from the heaven in violation of the certain mandates that may necessitate changes in their government.

The Chinese also learned about the relevance of these ideas in their understanding of the historical process for which it may be argued that there are positive and negative effects to their for them. Each is explained in relation to certain Context of Chinese political life.

First, Chinese rulers are presumed to have the needed ruler prestige and religious importance. As a hearer of the speech delivered in Mandate of Heaven, it would seem that the leader has now a moral or religious backing in making his leadership felt by the people. To have this kind of authority based on religion is to help people accept the authority with more submission or obedience because someone with divine power is out there to support the authority. Second, Chinese rulers have supreme power. The effect would almost be the same as the first one, since consequence therefore for the ruler is to e listened to and believed by the people and this would be to make the ruler easier to govern. Given the large population of the Chinese, one could easily see the relevance of respect to authority as a basic principle in managing people.

Third, new rulers would be easily accepted and they can easily gain power because of the belief in divine mandate. When compared with the principle of democracy, legitimacy relies on acceptance of authority domestically and internationally as evidence of sovereignty. An easier transition of government means stability for everybody which is also good for business.

Fourth, rules in power must remember that they have responsibility at all times because of the requirement for virtue. This is akin to the principle that the greater the power, the greater is the responsibility. One who is checked will be careful in respecting everybody which is the essence of true governance. When the ruler being checked complains the more prevailing authority can invoke that he is being checked by some one in the heavens who determines the time seasons when is the right the time that a new leader may come to China.

As a necessary consequence of the concept, there is also not reason to stop rebellion as long as the same is successful. This principle is not foreign to democratic ideas because authority only remains so long as they are accepted by the governed and no amount of law could be above the honest belief of people in their collective action that they need another government. In this context, it may not be therefore far to believe that China may eventually have a democratic government. If the speech by Duke of Zhou is being delivered to the Shang Dynasty as a way to justify rebellion as long as it successful, then China may actually be subscribing to one of the principles of democracy at that point of its history then.

It may be concluded that the theory of the Mandate is very important to the Chinese as a way of explaining or justifying the rise and fall of dynasties because of the positive effects that can derived from the concept. It could only exact morality and performance in the performance of functions. When applied to Chinese way of governance these modern times, China could always look back in its distant past to apply the learning that it had in the change of government. Nothing could be more responsive to the needs of the Chinese people than seeing its government to be addressing their needs otherwise rulers could always expected to be thrown out of office by the Mandate of Heaven if the required performance it’s not delivered. As far as learning from the past is concerned the Chinese has a rich way of relating from its countries history of rise and fall of dynasties using this idea of Mandate from Heaven.

It was just an idea that happened in the past but its influence may be far reaching. To have the idea of Heaven’s Mandate to influence elements of Chine political culture should never be a surprised to many. For emperors or kings to have believed earnestly that there is a frightening Heaven that would strike them down if they were to misgovern their sphere of influence is but a laudable idea because one could equate that fear to a conscience which must the judge of all things. The adoption of the idea, as may be validly implied since it is part of the Chinese history, must be a lesson also for would be coming rulers of China to know the responsibility in advance. Viewed in the context of law making and any other action affecting the Chinese people, the idea demands that any proposed laws should be scrutinized and studies exhaustively as to their consequences especially those that would affect even its lowliest members of the population. Such a very simple idea must have left a very profound effect on the life of the Chinese. No wonder China is now progressing very fast and it is believed to be the next world power by many.

Work Cited

Heaven’s Mandate, as provided.

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The Theory of the ‘Mandate of Heaven’

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