The idea that the people are the foundation of the state is one of the finest strands of political thought in traditional Chinese society. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, traditional people-centered thought underwent a transformation, giving rise to a new form of people-centered thought. Its novelty was expressed in two ways. First, traditional ideas were given new characteristics suited to their age, producing core propositions that broke new ground. Second, the people at its core were the wealthy commoner class, who fully expressed their political views, values, and demands, and clearly assessed their own social worth. This new people-centered thought became a concentrated expression of the wealthy commoner class's ability to release and wield its influence in the realm of ideas.
