University Questions·collection of Xie Tianyou's Works the Psychology of Subjects Under the Rule of Authoritarianism

This book is a history of the mentality of subjects under the rule of ancient despotism, and can be called a record of the appearance of ancient officialdom; it is also a historical sketch with excellent historical facts and commentary. The book uses the relationship between emperors and ministers in ancient China and the psychology of subjects as the starting point to analyze the connotation of absolutism. In a critical style, it presents the process of emergence of absolutism, the determination of the power structure, and the various manifestations of the mentality of subjects in this game of power. The author focuses on the psychological portrayal of historical figures and historical activities. In the form of reading historical notes, the author analyzes the scheming and wisdom of monarchs and ministers from the pre-Qin to the Qing Dynasty, as well as the painstaking efforts of loyal ministers and loyal ministers to deal with the righteousness of the country. The combination of history and theory shows the rules of survival in ancient courts and the game between monarch and ministers under centralized politics.