People as Root
The welfare of the people is the purpose of government.
Mencius taught that the people are the most important element in the state, above even the ruler. Government exists for the people's benefit. A ruler who harms the people loses legitimacy.
The people are the most important element; the ruler is the lightest.
This people-centered view was remarkably progressive.
Mencius
Written about in
- What Confucianism says about leading others
Mencius states it without hedging: the people are the most important element, the ruler the lightest. The hierarchy in the previous concept exists for the benefit of those at its bottom, or it forfeits its claim on them.