There are many theorists of rule by virtue in history, but in practice, no dynasty can maintain its rule by virtue alone. History has eloquently proved that only by combining the rule of virtue with the rule of law can a country become rich and strong. In 1 1 century BC, the Duke of Zhou put forward an important decision of "ruling by politics and punishing by rites and music" at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China. For the first time, the combination of virtue and law initiated the rule of virtue and rule of law in ancient China.
Under the influence of the general plan of "being prudent in punishment", the legal system of the Zhou Dynasty has undergone a series of changes. During the Spring and Autumn Period, the vassal state grew up and the kingship declined. Confucianism, which was based on the Book of Rites, gradually gave way to the emerging legalist school, and the rule of law pursued by legalists gradually replaced the rule of rites and music.
Theoretical Connotation of Rule of Virtue and Rule of Law
As two modes of modern social governance, "rule by virtue" and "rule by law" play important roles respectively. They complement each other and jointly safeguard social stability and national operation. In other words, although the concepts of "rule by virtue" and "rule by law" are different, they are more complementary in function and jointly form a new situation of rule by virtue and rule by law.
This is a soft constraint that relies on national concepts, cultural traditions and public opinion to play the role of education and coordination, and has typical non-mandatory characteristics. On the contrary, the "rule of law" depends on the mandatory constraints of the spirit of the rule of law, not the rule of man. Using specific legal provisions and rules to regulate people's behavior and deal with interpersonal problems contains legal concepts such as fairness and justice.