Mandate of Heaven/Definition

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< Mandate of Heaven
Revision as of 13:41, 23 January 2009 by imported>Bruce M. Tindall (New page: <noinclude>{{Subpages}}</noinclude> A theory of political legitimacy, developed by the Zhou dynasty in the 11th century BCE to justify its overthrow of the Shang, holding that legitimacy i...)
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A definition or brief description of Mandate of Heaven.

A theory of political legitimacy, developed by the Zhou dynasty in the 11th century BCE to justify its overthrow of the Shang, holding that legitimacy is granted by Heaven, and can be lost by a ruler who does not govern virtuously.