Secret History #13: Mandate of Heaven

Carl Marx proposed this dominant theory of civilization’s origins, which remains the mainstream academic understanding taught in schools worldwide today.

This alternative theory directly challenges mainstream Marxist academic orthodoxy, drawing support from mounting archaeological evidence at prehistoric sites that contradict materialist assumptions.

Temple priests initially managed early redistribution systems as community servants, but over generations became corrupt hereditary elites extracting rents rather than serving the people who originally elected or selected them.

Samarians developed the first major civilization, though scholars debate whether they migrated from elsewhere due to their unique language differing from surrounding areas.

This principle applies universally to all humans throughout history, regardless of class, geography, or time period, refuting the need for elite classes or special conditions to drive innovation.

Scholars and historians who study ancient texts and mythology can reconstruct lost civilizational histories by carefully analyzing mythological narratives for encoded historical information.

This principle describes how all human societies, regardless of geography or culture, inevitably evolve and transform over time through systematic patterns of inversion.

Early agricultural societies worshipped mother goddesses; later civilizations inverted this to worship male sky gods.

Princes, designated heirs, and sons within hereditary ruling classes who violently challenge and overthrow kings, fathers, and established rulers rather than waiting for natural succession.

Bureaucrats and administrative officials emerge within large, complex societies to manage the day-to-day governance operations that individual rulers cannot personally oversee, eventually becoming a distinct class with collective interests.

Chinese political philosophy developed the Mandate of Heaven concept to explain and legitimate dynastic changes and rebellions.

Confucius advocated structured social order through elaborate ritual and hierarchical relationships; Laozi (Lao Tzu) promoted natural spontaneity, simplicity, and minimal governmental interference in human affairs.