How did China and Europe use divine right to establish their monarchies? Explain how the ways they were similar and different in this area. (Hint: Think about the Mandate from Heaven and the role of the Catholic Church)

Question

anonymous · Answer

Well, one way they used divine right was to say that they had been given the right to rule from God himself. Since they were in cahoots with the church, and more educated than the rest of the population, they were believed.

anonymous · Answer

A HUGE difference is that European rulers used Divine right to prove that they were right no matter their actions. The Mandate of Heaven was dependent on the actions of the ruler. If you were a bad ruler, your people would revolt, thus proving that you lost the Mandate of Heaven

anonymous · Answer

There are also some fascinating psychological and philosophical reasons and issues behind acceptance by the general populace of the divine right principal.
John Locke and Thomas Hobbes have much to say on this.
We, the people, have certain needs and belief in the innate power of our leaders helps to satisfy our need for security and the belief in our own goodness etc.
We were/are lead to believe that our duty is to support the divine right else we are sinners and doomed.
The history is interesting as well.