„Hlasování nohama“ a jeden z kořenů ideologie dobré vlády a péče o lid ve starověké Číně

In my article, I discuss – on the basis of various texts of the Warring States times (Mèngzǐ, Dàodéjīng and mainly Shāngjūnshū) – the strategies used by ruling regimes of that period to maintain population within borders of their states on the one hand, and to attract people from other states on the other. It seems to be a widely discussed problem, and – the different philosophical orientation of these mentioned texts notwithstanding – the solutions suggested by the texts were very similar: ensuring the loyalty of the population by offering concrete material advantages and through the care for the material well-being of the people. As I argue, these strategies were originally developed by the competing aristocratic lineages in late Spring and Autumn times, and later – combined with the ancient Zhōu idea of these benevolent rule through the charismatic power dé – they became part of the ideology of benevolent rule and care for the people, which flourished during the imperial period.