Dynastic cycle

Dynastic cycle () is an important political theory in Chinese history. According to this theory, each dynasty of China rises to a political, cultural, and economic peak and then, because of moral corruption, declines, loses the Mandate of Heaven, and falls, only to be replaced by a new dynasty. The cycle then repeats under a surface pattern of repetitive motifs. It sees a continuity in Chinese history from early times to the present by looking at the succession of empires or dynasties, implying that there is little basic development or change in social or economic structures. John K. Fairbank expressed the doubts of many historians when he wrote that "the concept of the dynastic cycle... has been a major block to the understanding of the fundamental dynamics of Chinese history." The cycle appears as follows: A new ruler founds a new dynasty, and gains the Mandate of Heaven. China, under the new dynasty, achieves prosperity. The population increases. Corruption becomes rampant in the imperial court, and the empire begins to enter decline and instability. A natural disaster wipes out farm land. The disaster normally would not have been a problem; however, together with the corruption and overpopulation, it causes famine. The famine causes the population to rebel and a civil war ensues. The ruler loses the Mandate of Heaven. The population decreases because of the violence. China goes through a warring states period. One state emerges victorious. The state starts a new empire. The empire gains the Mandate of Heaven. (The cycle repeats itself.) The Mandate of Heaven was the idea that the monarch was favored by Heaven to rule over China. The Mandate of Heaven explanation was championed by the Chinese philosopher Mencius during the Warring States period. It has 3 main phases: The first is the beginning of the dynasty. The second is at the middle of the dynasty's life and is the peak of the dynasty. The last period is the decline of the dynasty, both politically and economically, until it finally collapses.