Abstract

Info

Author(s):: ZHANG Mao-ze; (Institute of Chinese Ideology and Culture, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, Shaanxi, China)

Keywords:: remonstration; remonstrating concept; self-correction mechanism; democratic politics; national governance

Abstract:: Remonstration, as an national governance activity, is the core of self-supervision and self-correction mechanism. Its aim is to help the governor listen to and accept different opinions to make reasonable and effective decisions. The political theory of ancient China focuses on the issues of national governance. Remonstrating concept is the acknowledgement and reflection on remonstration, which is part of ancient political theory. The emergence and development of Chinese ancient remonstrating concept is closely related to the position setting of remonstrator. It emerged in Shang dynasty, flourished in Pre-Qin, combined with national governance practice and played an active role in Han and Tang dynasties, and declined with the reinforcement of autocratic monarchy. The ideological basis of remonstrating concept includes “Taihe” concept, philosophy of heaven and humanity, the cultivation theory of “harmony in diversity”, simple dialectical thinking, “benevolent policy” thought, and so on. The primary cause of remonstrating frustrations lies in the shackles of autocratic monarchy system, abnormal development of its own, and its intrinsic inner contradictions. Therefore, ancient remonstrating concept still deviated from the development direction of political democracy in spite of some democratic color.