In the context of the Mandate of Heaven, a dynasty typically gains and loses power in the following order:
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Formation and Ascendancy: A new dynasty gains the Mandate of Heaven, signifying divine approval to rule. This often occurs after the overthrow of a previous dynasty, which is viewed as having lost its mandate due to corruption, misrule, or failure to care for the people.
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Stable Rule: The dynasty establishes legitimacy and gains the people's support by promoting prosperity, maintaining social order, and fulfilling its duty to govern justly and effectively.
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Decline: Over time, the dynasty may experience internal strife, corruption, ineffective leadership, or failure to meet the needs of the populace. Signs of decline may include natural disasters, famine, social unrest, or economic hardship.
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Loss of Mandate: When a dynasty fails to fulfill its responsibilities, it is believed to lose the Mandate of Heaven. This loss can be marked by rebellion, civil war, or external invasion, as people seek to replace the ruling dynasty with a more just and capable one.
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Overthrow and Replacement: The dynasty is ultimately overthrown, and a new dynasty rises to power, claiming the Mandate of Heaven for itself, thereby initiating the cycle anew.
This cyclical pattern reflects the belief in the divine right to rule and the accountability of rulers to their subjects.
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