Irresponsibility
I’ve been picking on Nyan a lot recently, mostly in a positive way. Here’s a little more:
The Mandate of Heaven is the correct theory of legitimacy. Period.
— Nyan Sandwich (@nyansandwich) November 1, 2014
This is perfect, and precise. It’s something that needs to be said, and it says a lot.
The Mandate of Heaven (Tianming, 天命) couples authority to responsibility. The responsibility of the Emperor, and the Dynasty, is no less comprehensive than its power, and is in fact ultimately coincidental with it. The foundation is cosmic. Plagues, earthquakes, and foreign invasions are all encompassed by it, as are the reciprocal strokes of good fortune. There is no possibility of any delegation that is not internal to the subject of Tianming, preserving its absolute responsibility. The selection of advisers and administrators is an exercise of authority, for which there can be no evasion of accountability before heaven (or fate). Rule succeeds or fails, survives or perishes, in its own name.