Mencius is one of the most famous philosophers in Chinese history. He lived at a time when wars and conflicts in China were very common. Different kingdoms waged war against each other for the expansion of their own territory. Rebellion was also common as the subjects made attempts to topple their abusive and cruel ruler. In view of the importance of managing states and winning wars for expanding the territory of rulers, heads of states consulted known philosophers and intellectuals like Mencius whose wisdom proved to be vital in their rule. This essay seeks to discuss Mencius’ concept of ruler-ship and what to the mind of Mencius constitutes the best and most effective ruler. Initially, Mencius separates society into two classes of people. He thought that there are individuals who labor with their minds and there are those individuals who labor with their body. He thought that those who labor with their mind should be leaders or rulers. This emphasizes the need for rulers to be strong in intellect. This also emphasizes the need for an ordered society which is ruled by individuals who are mentally fit. While this can be considered as somewhat elitist, Mencius told that this is essential in achieving an ordered society. However, having a strong intellect is not enough to become an effective ruler. Mencius believed that virtue is essential for the successful ruler-ship. Virtue however, is not exclusive to the ruler. Mencius also believed in the inherent goodness of man. He thought that man is by nature good and would as much as possible do good. However, he also thought that man makes mistakes. Man makes mistakes because of factors which are beyond his control such as the lack of education or poverty. When this happens, he makes mistakes not because he wanted to commit evil. Rather, he makes mistakes because he does not know any better and circumstances forced him to do it.
Mencius teachings are basically similar with Confucius. Just like Confucius, Mencius destroyed the idea that rulers are like Gods who command form a very high position. The only difference is that he was very demanding of rulers as he wants them to lead by example. He expected a lot from rulers that they should be impeccable in terms of moral virtue. For Mencius, rulers are in power not for the people to serve them. Mencius thought that leaders are supposed to serve the people and make their lives better. Moreover, rulers are supposed to serve as good examples so that they may be emulated by their people.
Mencius thought that effective rulers possess several qualities. For Mencius, one of the characteristics of an excellent ruler is that he should be virtuous. A virtuous ruler rules by doing good deeds to his own people. He does not rule with an iron fist nor does he abuse his people. When rulers are virtuous and benevolent, they establish a benevolent government. By benevolent government, Mencius thought that rulers should first of all be virtuous and should exert all effort so they can perfect their personal nature. This means that their character should be inherently good and moral so that they can lead their people by example. When a ruler is benevolent, the people willingly follow him.
In fact, a benevolent ruler who decides to conquer another kingdom can easily do so and his new subjects will not resist a benevolent leader. He said “If you adopt a benevolent policy, you will have standardized laws, a strong economy, a well-educated and ambitious people. If, at that time, you decide the moment demands as assault on another state, none shall be able to resist your combined power at that time.” Mencius thought that it is easier for a benevolent ruler to expand his territory because he can easily gain the trust and loyalty of his followers. He argued that an effective ruler does not rule with the use of iron fist. A leader who leads using iron fist imposes fear in the hearts and minds of his people. He rules by forcing people to follow his orders. For Mencius, this is not characteristic of an excellent ruler as he does not have loyalty of his followers. He said “It is a case of people’s weakness rather than their willing compliance where force is used to subjugate them. But it is with happiness with their hearts and a sincere willingness to comply where virtue is used to win them over. This was the way in which seventy disciples submitted to Confucius.” (Meng-Tszu) If rulers lead their people with an iron fist then the ruler will not win the loyalty and love of the people An excellent ruler has humility and kindness. This means that he has pity on his followers and he cannot bear to see the suffering of his own people. He makes every effort to make the lives of the people better through effective governance and service. An excellent ruler is always concerned about the welfare of his people and mindful of what is best for them.
An effective leader is not ruthless, cunning or deceiving. An excellent ruler does not need to be feared in order to be obeyed by his ruler. He does not punish his people simply because he wants to punish them. Whenever it is necessary to punish individuals who committed a crime due caution should be applied so that the criminal is punished only to the extent necessary to redress the crime he committed. Mencius thought that punishment is essentially ineffective in regulating human behavior. Rather, what is more effective is the ruler’s good example to his people. Mencius said “When one by force subdues men, they do not submit to him in heart. They submit, because their strength is not adequate to resist. When one subdues man by virtue, in their heart’s core they are pleased, and sincerely submit, as was the case with the seventy disciples in their submission to Confucius.” (Meng-Tzsu 32) Mencius argued that leaders are concerned about the development of the people and in the improvement of their lives. The people are very important assets in the state so that efforts should be made to develop their potential. He also thought that the state is ultimately benefitted when people are allowed to achieve their full potential. To achieve this, the people should be educated. Mencius suggested that the government should assist the people so that the people will be developed. “The people will not have constant hearts if they are without constant means. Lacking constant hearts, they will go astray and fall into excesses, stopping at nothing. To punish them after they have fallen foul of the law is to set trap for the people.” (Mencius 224) Mencius believes that people who are educated to do commit crimes while people who are uneducated are more likely to commit crimes. If the government has failed the people by giving assistance to them leading the people to commit crimes, then the government should be cautious in punishing the people for their crimes. Just like Confucius, he was against the idea of punishing severely the people for their crimes. It should be emphasized the Mencius was not against the concept of a law and justice system in general. In fact, he was in favor of punishment if the person deserves to be punished by the state. Laws and punishments are not effective in deterring crime. For Mencius, however, it is more important for the ruler to do good for the people. When he does good for the people he serves as a good example for the people such that they are ashamed to commit crimes. Mencius emphasized the importance of respect. Respect is an important character in a ruler. By respect, Mencius means giving people what is their due. An excellent ruler does not demand respect from his followers. He does not tell his people to respect or be punished. Rather, respect is something is earned. The people will respect their leader and obey them with their whole heart if the ruler will also respect his people. He said “To feed a man without showing him love is to treat him like a pig; to love him without showing him respect is to keep him like a domestic animal. Respect is but a gift that is not yet presented. Respect that is without reality will not take a gentleman in merely by its empty show” (Mencius, 2004). Mencius believes that leaders should avoid imposing too much burden on the people because it only makes them poor. One of these burdens is taxation. In China, it was common for rulers to impose oppressive taxes against the people to the point that the people were drained of their resources. Mencius was not against taxation because it is necessary to support the state. However, he limited the amount of taxes that should be imposed against the people. He thought that any amount beyond 10% of one’s income is oppressive. He said “Tend the fields of grain and flax well, tax their yield lightly, and the people will be prosperous.” (Bell 218) Thus, he was not against taxes per se but the imposition of taxes should be limited so that it is not oppressive to the people. Mencius also thought that a ruler should not intervene so much with the affairs of the people, especially the economic affairs. He thought that the best ruler is that who governs the least and who let the people decide their affairs. He thought that a ruler should refrain from deciding the prices of goods under exchange but should let the people fix their prices based on their day to day experience. “That things are unequal is part of their nature. Some are worth twice or five times, ten or hundred times, even a thousand, and ten thousand times, more than others. If you reduce them to the same level, it will only bring confusion to the empire. If a roughly finished shoe sells at the same rate as a finely finished one, who would make the latter?” (Bell 218) Mencius thought that if the ruler will intervene and decide on the prices of goods then there would be less incentive for the people to produce variety in their goods and to produce high quality goods. A ruler should also not intervene in terms of imposing import duties to sellers. During that time, sellers who travel to another city were heavily taxed by the rulers. He thought that this discourages sellers from different cities to exchange goods with sellers in other cities which stifle commerce. At the same time, imposing heavy import duties will only lead to the pauperization of the people. He suggested that the ruler should encourage exchange of goods and services and instead of taxing them at the border these sellers should only be inspected so that they will not bring into the city illegal items. Mencius warns rulers that if they fail in establishing a benevolent government they will not only win the loyalty of the people. They are also deemed to have lost the mandate of the people. This means that they have lost the reason why they should rule. This makes it necessary that they be replaced by another ruler who is more capable of benevolent government. It can be observed the Mencius’ concept of ruler-ship is different from philosophers in the West like Niccolo Machiavelli. In Niccolo Machiavelli’s Prince, he thought that a ruler should not strive to be loved but to be feared. He explained that rulers who are kind and benevolent are weak rulers who will not stay in power long enough. They are prone to being deceived and abused by their generals and by their people. They are also prone to be toppled over by other ambitious but ruthless rulers. Niccolo Machiavelli argued that the best quality of an effective leader is his cunningness and ruthlessness. A cunning and ruthless leader is feared by his followers. People who fear their leaders will not dare make an attempt against the ruler. Obedience is also easier when people fear the punishment from their rulers. He also thought that taking advantage of the people by making them poor and draining their resources are also essential so they do not have the opportunity to make an attempt against the leader.

Conclusion Mencius concept is similar to Confucius’s concept of ruler-ship in many aspects. Both philosophers thought that an effective ruler is not that is virtuous. Mencius, however, makes his concept different from Confucius in terms of the demands that he imposed upon the rulers. For him, the role of rulers is not to be served by the people. Rather, the role of rulers is to serve the people to the best of his abilities so that the lives of his people will become better. It is essential for a leader to be loved than to be feared. When he is loved by his followers he will earn their loyalty and obedience. They will not wish for him to be replaced by another ruler. To be loved, Mencius emphasized several qualities of an effective ruler. First, an effective ruler is virtuous. Second, he must be humble. Third, he must not rule with iron fist. Fourth, he should strive to avoid interfering in economic affairs of the people.

Cited Works
Bell, Daniel and Chae-Bong Ham. Confucianism for the Modern World. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Meng-Tszu. The Book of Mencius.
Xu, Y and B. Zhang. Mencius: A Benevolent Saint for the Ages. Beijing: China Intercontinental Press, 2007.