Dynastic cycle
Article
The dynastic cycle is a traditional political theory used to describe repeated patterns in Chinese history. In this model, a dynasty gains the Mandate of Heaven, establishes order, and enters a period of political, cultural, and economic strength.
As the dynasty ages, corruption, inequality, administrative weakness, population pressure, famine, natural disaster, rebellion, and warfare are said to undermine its authority. These conditions are interpreted as evidence that the ruler has lost the Mandate of Heaven.
A successful challenger then defeats the weakened dynasty, reunifies the country, and establishes a new ruling house. Prosperity and population growth resume, beginning another version of the same sequence.
Historians have criticised the model for placing excessive emphasis on emperors and courts and for obscuring technological, economic, social, regional, and cultural developments that do not follow a simple repeating pattern.
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- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynastic_cycle