Confucianism’s legal propositions on the issue of monarch and ministers are as follows:
Confucianism emphasizes the moral relationship between monarch and ministers, and believes that monarchs and ministers should govern the country with morality and etiquette. At the same time, Confucianism also advocates the rule of law and believes that the rule of law is an important means to achieve social stability and justice.
In the relationship between monarch and ministers, Confucianism advocates that monarchs and ministers should treat each other with virtue and courtesy. The monarch and his ministers should respect each other, understand each other, and support each other. The monarch should set an example, set a moral example, and guide his subjects to abide by moral norms. At the same time, the monarch should also care about the lives and sufferings of his subjects, formulate reasonable policies, and benefit his subjects.
In terms of the rule of law, Confucianism advocates incorporating etiquette into the law and virtue into the law. Confucianism believes that law is a necessary means to achieve social justice and stability, but the law must conform to moral principles. Therefore, Confucianism advocates that moral factors should be taken into consideration when formulating laws to ensure that the laws comply with moral standards. At the same time, Confucianism also emphasizes that law enforcement must be strict and violations must be prosecuted. Violations of the law must be punished in accordance with the law to maintain the authority and fairness of the law.
Confucianism also advocates the supervision and restriction mechanism between monarch and ministers. Confucianism believes that the monarch and his ministers should supervise and restrict each other. The monarch should accept the supervision and criticism of his ministers and correct his mistakes in a timely manner. At the same time, ministers should also perform their duties and supervise and restrict the monarch's decision-making.
Representatives of Confucianism:
1. Confucius: Confucius is the founder of the Confucian school and one of the greatest thinkers and educators in ancient China. He advocated ideas such as "benevolence" and "propriety", advocated the educational concept of "education without distinction", and emphasized people's moral cultivation and self-improvement. Confucius' thoughts had a profound impact on ancient Chinese society, politics, culture and other aspects, and he was revered as the "Holy Teacher".
2. Mencius: Mencius is one of the important representatives of the Confucian school and is known as the "Senior Sage". He inherited and developed the thoughts of Confucius, put forward the "theory of good nature", "theory of benevolent government" and other ideas, emphasizing the importance of human nature and moral cultivation. Mencius' thoughts also had an important influence on ancient Chinese society, politics, culture and other aspects, and he was revered as the "Senior Sage".
3. Xunzi: Xunzi is one of the important representatives of the Confucian school and is known as the "Later Sage". He advocated ideas such as "theory of evil nature" and "theory of etiquette" and emphasized the importance of human nature and moral cultivation. Xunzi's thoughts also had an important influence on ancient Chinese society, politics, culture and other aspects, and he was revered as the "Later Sage".