Thinking About China
Opinion

Beijing’s Achilles’ Heel: Lack of Legitimacy

Beijing’s Achilles’ Heel: Lack of Legitimacy
Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping (R) and Chinese Vice Chair Wang Qishan (2-L) shake at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on March 17, 2018. Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images
Peter Zhang
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When Her Majesty’s subjects in the British Commonwealth rise to sing “God Save the Queen” at a World Cup soccer game, few believe, as perhaps they did 400 years ago, of the divine right to rule of their monarch, Her Majesty The Queen.

During the reign of James Charles Stuart (1566-1625), also known as James VI & I, that the theological basis for the monarchy gained currency, due at least in part to King James’ personal advocacy of the doctrine. In his treatise, “The True Law of Free Monarchies,” King James argued that the divine right of kings in Scotland and later in England was justified as an extension of the apostolic succession.

Peter Zhang
Peter Zhang
Author
Peter Zhang is a researcher on political economy in China and East Asia. He focuses on China’s trade, diplomacy, and human rights issues and is affiliated with the Global and International Studies at the University of Salamanca. Peter is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School as a Mason fellow.
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