Review of Dong Zhongshu Administrative Management Thought

Abstract

The main content of Dong Zhongshu's administrative management thought is the governance philosophy of morality as the mainstay of punishment, the administrative principle of coordination between the top and bottom, and the supervision and checks and balances of administrative power. The principle of morality is to educate and implement benevolent governance; the coordination between the top and bottom is to improve the efficiency of administrative operation through the coordination between the supreme ruler and the officials and the coordination between officials at all levels, so as to ensure the effective operation of administrative power; through justice and harshness penalties and the formulation of policies for adjusting the gap between the rich and the poor to adjust social conflicts and ensure social stability; restrictions on administrative power include the restriction of “god” on the power of the supreme ruler monarch, the monarch’s absolute control over the administrative power, and the relationship between officials the triple meaning of mutual supervision. In reality, Dong Zhongshu's administrative management thought played a decisive role in the prosperity and stability of the Han Dynasty.