"Even if a tyrant emperor emerges, he'll only retain the power to appoint and dismiss cabinet members, without the actual power to govern the country. After a few hundred years, it would be best to transition to a constitutional monarchy and gradually hand over imperial power."
"But if we do it now, it would be too big a step and could easily lead to trouble. Therefore, it is still an absolute monarchy under the cabinet system, under the absolute leadership of the government."
"But we must promote a certain degree of democracy and ensure a certain degree of self-governance at the grassroots level. I believe that farmers' associations can be established in rural areas to gradually free the people from the constraints of feudal patriarchy and clan systems, so that they can no longer be oppressed and enslaved, and thus have the freedom to make their own choices."
"In summary, I believe the current political system of the Song Dynasty should be a semi-monarchy, semi-cabinet system. The monarch is the head of state, and the Council of State is the head of government."
"In the process of gradually advancing towards populism, the monarch and the cabinet are merely a veneer of autocracy. In reality, our true goal is to be responsible to the people and maintain social stability."
He looked around, his voice firm and steady.
Some people ask: "Why should we move towards publicism? What is publicism?"
"It's simple. Whether it's a monarchy or a republic, the vast majority of them are capitalist political frameworks. Their content is the exploitation of the bourgeoisie through the purchase of labor. Its main characteristics are: generalized monopoly, globalized monopoly, and economic financialization."
Zhao Jun explained: "Since the emergence of capital, commercial monopoly and exploitation have never ceased. For example, after the French Revolution of 1789, feudal relations in France were destroyed and the ruling bourgeoisie was established."
"However, under the new social system, merchants desperately exploited workers and hoarded goods, causing prices to soar, leaving France economically destitute and workers and ordinary people destitute."
"This led to the third French uprising, which overthrew the Girondists and established the Jacobin dictatorship."
"Publicism, on the other hand, is about the public interest. It does not serve a particular emperor or a particular class, but only serves this country and its people."
"For example, under capitalism, food prices are manipulated, leading to dire food prices in many countries. Some countries, like Brazil, Argentina, and Ukraine, are world-renowned grain-producing regions, but the grain produced by their farmers is monopolized by foreign capital, causing domestic food prices to skyrocket and the people to suffer."
"Take electricity, for example. Under capitalism, electricity is also a commodity. A heavy snowfall in Texas, USA, caused electricity prices to skyrocket hundreds of times, leaving ordinary people completely without electricity and leaving millions without power. Ironically, Texas is a renowned energy-producing state, with abundant resources like electricity and oil."
"Gas and oil, among other things, are monopolized by foreign energy groups. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused energy prices in Europe to soar, making it impossible for many families to afford electricity, gas, or oil. This has led to rising prices and inflation, and the people are suffering."
"In comparison, my country's food prices are low, and the average electricity and gas prices are only about half of the average overseas. The only issue with oil prices is that my country is not an oil-producing country and needs to import a large amount to meet the fuel needs of its 1.4 billion people, so it's a little more expensive."
"So our political system is actually designed to serve the people. 1.4 billion people should be able to afford food, clothing, housing and transportation. This is the true people-centered philosophy."
"Honestly, if our country didn't have cheap industrial output, Westerners wouldn't even be able to afford daily necessities. You should be able to see the difference between capitalism and populism from this."
Zhao Jun spread his hands and said, "The Song Dynasty is essentially an absolute monarchy. So think about it: if you want social stability and the support of the people, should you take the path of capitalism or the path of populism? Do you understand now?"
"This is what Mencius meant when he said, 'The people are the most important, the country is second, and the ruler is the least important.'"
Zhao Zhen said thoughtfully.
"good."
Zhao Jun nodded and said, "People-centered thinking is the true democratic ideology. Now that the Industrial Revolution has arrived, capital is bound to grow. Therefore, the state must protect the interests of workers and farmers. This is the political system we want to establish!"
"Then what kind of system do you think should be established, Grandson?"
Zhao Zhen was a little hesitant.
Although Zhao Jun had clearly stated that he would guarantee the imperial power and that constitutional monarchy was a matter of many years, he was still a little worried.
Zhao Jun smiled and said, "The Song Dynasty's unique public-spirited path, with absolute monarchy as its core and people-centered thinking at its core."
As he spoke, he looked around and said, "I believe that the idea of people-centeredness must be implemented throughout. This is the true and eternal theme. Kings and prime ministers are all empty words and will eventually be submerged in the tide of history. Therefore, if we want the Song Dynasty to survive and Chinese civilization to continue, the idea of people-centeredness must not be interrupted."
"Brother, you don't want the Song Dynasty to perish like this in the future, do you?"
Finally, Zhao Jun looked at Zhao Zhen and said, "Even if a constitutional monarchy is established in a few years, and the king becomes a figurehead, a mascot, it would still be much better than the demise of the Zhao Song Dynasty. At least the royal family can still continue, don't you think?"
"Forehead"
Zhao Zhen was speechless for a moment, and finally smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, it would be best if we could continue the royal family."
This touches upon the fundamental interests of the royal family.
In the past, these emperors thought that they wanted the country to be a family kingdom and that the imperial power would be passed down forever.
But obviously, history has proven that this is impossible.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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