A LEGACY BEQUEATHED (P2)

(Continuing from Page 1 of this series…)

Part V: Political and Social Structure

A noble philosophy will remain but a dream without a solid institutional structure to realize it. However, this structure must serve the philosophy, not the other way around. Therefore, the institutions below are designed based on minimalism, a clear demarcation of responsibilities, and a monitoring mechanism based on morality rather than partisan power.

A. The Wise Ruler (Supreme Leader)

The Role of “Captain” and the Stature of “Moral Elder”:

The Wise Ruler is not a manager of affairs, but a captain. His job is not to run around the ship tightening every bolt, but to stand on the command bridge studying nautical charts, observing the stars, and discerning the flow of the times. His role is to make “course-altering” decisions for the entire national vessel at crucial moments.

His stature in the hearts of the people is also very special. He is not a Savior to be worshipped, nor a feudal king to be feared, and he is certainly not in the same league as politicians elected through noisy campaigns. He is a Moral Elder, someone the populace turns to for wisdom, not for power.

That style is evident even in the way he works and communicates. When needing to understand an issue, he may conduct quiet, unannounced inspection tours to access the truth in the most authentic way, instead of engaging in grand, formal tours. When needing to convey a momentous message, he will choose to write a profound analysis for the entire nation, rather than constantly appearing in the media. The frequency of this communication is also very rare, perhaps only once or twice a year or less, to ensure that every word carries weight and inspires deep reflection, rather than to polish his name.

Powers and Limitations:

The Wise Ruler is the holder of the highest executive power and is the final decision-maker for all of the nation’s ordinary policies and laws (instead of a legislative body like a Parliament). In theory, he has the power to appoint and dismiss any official in the entire administrative system.

In practice, the Wise Ruler will focus on selecting and appointing the most important leaders: the Prime Minister, the Ministers, the Provincial Governors, and the Heads of the advisory councils.

The Wise Ruler’s power over the Council of Sages is limited. He does not have the authority to appoint or dismiss Council members at will, but only has a very limited authority to participate in this process, in order to ensure the Council’s independence. (The detailed mechanism of this interaction will be described in the section on the election and supervision of the Council of Sages) .

There are two absolute limits to the Wise Ruler’s power. First, in the judicial domain, he has no power to try or convict anyone; that power belongs to an independent court system.

Second, regarding the Constitution that has existed since the nation’s founding, the Wise Ruler does not have the power to unilaterally change it. Any amendment to the Constitution must receive the consensus of a majority in a vote with the Council of Sages, with a weight of 1/3 belonging to the Wise Ruler and the remaining 2/3 belonging to the Council of Sages (thus, the support of only about 1/3 of the Council of Sages’ members is needed for it to pass).

Deputy Wise Ruler:

The Wise Ruler has the right to nominate a person as a standby Deputy. In the event the Wise Ruler does not designate a separate person, the Prime Minister will, by default, also serve in this standby Deputy role.

In the event of the Wise Ruler’s sudden resignation or death, the Deputy will temporarily govern the nation for a maximum period of 3 years. His main duty during this period is to ensure the smooth operation of the nation and its organization, and to oversee a fair selection process for a new Wise Ruler.

Regarding powers, the acting leader holds the necessary executive powers but may not unilaterally enact or amend crucial policies (such as amending the constitution or deploying the military) without receiving the support of over 50% of the members of the Council of Sages (to be discussed later). To ensure objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, the person holding this temporary position will not be allowed to be a candidate in the immediately following selection of a Wise Ruler.

Impeachment and Oversight Mechanism:

Great power must come with responsibility. The Wise Ruler has the right to voluntarily resign for personal reasons. In that case, the standby Deputy will temporarily assume the leadership role.

The Wise Ruler can be removed from office in the following cases:

Case 1: Emergency Vote of No Confidence (due to Criminal Violation / Serious Moral Breach)

• Reason: The Wise Ruler is accused of committing a criminal act or a serious moral violation that goes against the foundational principles of the nation.
• Activation Mechanism:
  1. The case must first be accepted and tried by the Supreme Court.
  2. Only after the Supreme Court issues a formal verdict that the Wise Ruler is “guilty” does the Council of Sages have the basis to convene and vote.
  3. If a majority of the the Council of Sages members vote to accept the Court’s verdict, the Wise Ruler will be forced to leave office.
• Frequency: Can occur at any time during the term, as soon as there is an incident and a verdict from the Court.
• Purpose: To ensure the highest accountability for crimes, preventing the abuse of the impeachment process for political purposes based on baseless accusations.

Case 2: Periodic Vote of No Confidence (Mandatory Evaluation)

• Reason: To evaluate the administrative effectiveness and general level of confidence in the Wise Ruler after a long period in office.
• Activation Mechanism: Occurs automatically according to the schedule prescribed by the Constitution.
• Frequency: Twice during a term, at the 10-year and 20-year marks.

Case 3: Extraordinary Vote of No Confidence (initiated by the the Council of Sages)

• Reason: The the Council of Sages has deep concerns about the Wise Ruler’s policy direction or administrative capacity, but not to the level of a serious moral violation that would trigger Case 1.
• Activation Mechanism: Must be proposed by a certain percentage of the Council of Sages members (e.g., at least 1/3).
• Frequency: Can only be used once during the Wise Ruler’s entire term.
• Applicable Period: Can only be activated within the “window of opportunity” from the 11th to the 19th year of the term.
• Purpose: To serve as a flexible and powerful oversight tool, allowing the the Council of Sages to intervene when necessary without having to wait for the periodic milestones.

Furthermore, to avoid the risk of “demagoguery” and a cult of personality, the law also prohibits the state from using the budget or its power to promote the image of the incumbent Wise Ruler. Specifically, printing his image on currency or mandating the hanging of his portrait in public offices is not permitted.

B. The Council of Sages: The Moral Lighthouse

Rationale:

A Wise Ruler, no matter how sagacious, cannot be an eternal guarantee for the nation’s destiny. For this very reason, a more enduring institution must be established: the Council of Sages. Once in office, each sage must place the common good of the nation above all else, serving as a guardian of the nation’s soul, not merely as a representative of the interests of the group that entrusted them with their vote.

Role:

The Council is not a secondary body of power, but a “guiding constellation,” the moral lighthouse of the nation. Their role is not to rule, but to guide, which is expressed through the following three primary missions:

• Selecting and Ensuring a Sagacious Succession: This is the most fundamental and paramount responsibility of the Council. They are the ones who initiate, vet, and lead the process of searching for and selecting the succeeding Wise Ruler, ensuring the cycle of “prosperity then decline,” which is the tragedy of all institutions, is broken.
• Advising and Supervising the Wise Ruler: The Council’s second role is to serve as a reflecting mirror for the leader. They have the duty to “advise and supervise the Wise Ruler, ensuring all major policy decisions are in accordance with foundational moral principles”.
• Leading Society with Morality (Without Imposition): Finally, the Council of Sages is the symbol of the conscience and wisdom of the entire nation. Their influence comes not from coercive power, but from the natural respect of the populace for their integrity and sagacity.

Structure, Succession, and Internal Operations:

The Council of Sages consists of 25 official members and 25 reserve members. Reserve members have the right to participate in all council activities and to express their opinions; the only difference is that they do not have the default right to vote like official members.

Regarding internal structure, the status of all 25 official members within the Council of Sages is completely equal. The Council may appoint a common spokesperson for the collective body by consensus, but this person does not hold a leadership role and does not have any authority higher than other members. At the same time, each member retains the full freedom to make statements in a personal capacity, or as a representative of a small group of other members in the Council who share the same view on a specific issue.

The term for each sage is 25 years, non-renewable, and they serve between the ages of 30 and 85. The main succession mechanism operates on a principle of staggered replacement: every 5 years, an election will be held to replace the 5 members with the longest tenure. In the event that more than 5 members have the same tenure, the oldest will be the one to retire first. The strength of the Council lies in its collective wisdom. Even if a few “lighthouses” may temporarily dim, the majority will still shine brightly enough to illuminate the path for the Wise Ruler and the entire nation.

Handling Unexpected Vacancies:

In the event that an official member is unable to continue their duties (due to resignation, removal from office, or death), the remaining 24 official members will hold a vote to select a replacement from the list of 25 reserve members.

Supervision and Removal of Members:

To ensure the integrity of the Council, a consistent mechanism for removing a member will be applied when a member is deemed to have committed a serious moral violation. A removal vote can be initiated in one of two ways:

• Proposed by the Wise Ruler (a maximum of 5 times during his 25-year term).
• Proposed by the Council members themselves, with a document that must be signed by a minimum of 3 members.

Regardless of how it is proposed, the final decision will be determined by a vote, with the vote weight distributed as follows: the Wise Ruler holds 1/3 and the remaining 24 members of the Council hold 2/3.

*  *  *

Part VI: Detailed Operational Mechanisms

A noble philosophy must be embodied in a lean, effective, and moral operational structure. This is not the place for us to draw up complex procedures, but to outline the core principles that help society operate in the most harmonious way possible on its own.

A. Minimalist State Apparatus and Foundational Laws

Legislative Advisory Council and Public Consultation:

Representative bodies like current Parliaments often become cumbersome and easily influenced by interest groups. Instead, this model establishes a Legislative Advisory Council:

It will be lean, composed of leading experts nominated by reputable professional organizations and vetted for morality by the Council of Sages. Their role is to research, draft, and debate draft laws to advise the Wise Ruler; they do not have the power to vote laws into effect. All draft laws, after being drafted, must be widely published on a national mobile application to gather survey feedback before being submitted to the Wise Ruler for a decision.

1. Structure and Benefits:

• The Council will also consist of 25 official members and 25 reserve members.
• The compensation level will be applied according to a similar framework: a high, flexible salary range, sufficient to attract top legal experts (e.g., ranging from 8 to 15 times the average income).

2. Selection Mechanism: Members will be selected from three sources:

• 15 members nominated and elected by reputable professional legal organizations throughout the country (such as the National Bar Association, leading law faculties, the Council of Judges…).
• 5 members nominated by the Wise Ruler.
• 5 members directly elected by the people.

3. Succession Mechanism: The “staggered succession” mechanism will also be applied:

• Every 5 years, the 5 members with the longest tenure will be replaced.
• Among those 5 replacements, the structure will be maintained: the Wise Ruler appoints 1 person, the people elect 1 person, and the remaining 3 will be chosen by the legal organizations.

Minimalist Constitution and Principled Law:

The constitution of this model must be simplified to its core, concise enough for nearly every citizen to learn it by heart from their school days. When the Constitution resides in the heart of every person, it will become a personal moral compass. Similarly, the legal system will be built upon overarching principles rather than detailed regulations.

Foundational Principles of Justice:

The independent judicial system will operate based on the following core moral principles:

• Clear Distinction Between Punishment (for the State) and Compensation (for the Victim):
  • For criminal cases or public violations (such as traffic laws), all monetary penalties paid to the state will be abolished. Money cannot be used to mitigate or replace punishment. Instead, punishment will be educational, corrective, and involve community service, ensuring absolute fairness between the rich and the poor.
  • However, the offender still has the obligation to fully compensate the victim for all material and emotional damages. This compensation is a parallel civil liability, and its fulfillment is not considered a reason to reduce the public punishment.
  • For purely civil cases, the court will prioritize mediation, and the parties may use money to settle their obligations with each other by agreement.
• Respect for Court Verdicts:
  • For serious crimes, the court’s verdict is final and must be strictly enforced, without interference from other branches of power.
• Pardon Mechanism with Oversight and Listening: The Wise Ruler has no power to interfere in the judiciary, including granting pardons. A strict and humane pardon process will be applied in 3 steps:
  • Step 1 (Proposal from the Grassroots): A pardon proposal must originate from the grassroots level, that is, from the person directly managing the prisoner, based on the prisoner’s rehabilitation process and genuine remorse.
  • Step 2 (Vetting and Listening): This proposal must then be independently reviewed by a High Court. During this process, the Court is required to obtain the official opinion of the victim or their family. This opinion is an important consultative factor but does not have veto power. The Court will make the final decision based on a balance between the evidence of the prisoner’s rehabilitation, the victim’s pain, and the general safety of society.
  • Step 3 (Final Approval): If approved by the Court after considering all factors, the file will be submitted to the head of the judicial body (equivalent to the Minister of Justice) for the final signature.

Administrative Structure:

Regarding administrative structure, the nation will be divided into Provinces (or States). The number of provinces will not be fixed but will depend on the characteristics of each nation, though it should be reasonably limited to ensure efficiency and avoid cumbersomeness. For example, a number in the range of 13 to 18 provinces could help the apparatus operate leanly. This branching principle will be consistently applied to lower levels: each Province/State will be further divided into about 13-18 Districts/Counties, and so on down to the Commune and Village/Hamlet level. This structure ensures that at each level, the leader has an effective “span of control,” helping the apparatus to coordinate tightly and operate smoothly from top to bottom.

B. Public Budget and Economy

1. Principles of Budget Operation:

To ensure national autonomy and avoid burdening future generations, the state budget will operate based on two golden rules:

• Absolute Budgetary Balance: The state is only allowed to spend within the scope of the revenue it collects. Deficit spending is absolutely not permitted. For example, if total budget revenue is 10 billion USD, total spending cannot exceed 10 billion USD.
• No Public Debt: The state is strictly prohibited from borrowing from any domestic or foreign organization, in any form and for any reason. The burden and opportunity for economic development investment belong entirely to the private sector; they will borrow, invest, and profit on their own.

2. Minimizing Corruption Risk by Scale:

• One of the most effective anti-corruption mechanisms is to radically shrink the size of the state budget. The less money a state apparatus manages, the more naturally the opportunity and scale of corruption are limited. Even if the percentage of loss due to corruption is the same, the absolute damage to the nation will be much smaller. The loss of a portion of a 10-billion-USD treasury would be far less painful than the loss of the same percentage of a 100-billion-USD treasury.

3. Budget Cuts and Minimalist Taxation:

A society with a high moral foundation, where crime naturally decreases and there are no ambitions for expansion, will not need a massive defense and security apparatus. The public budget will be cut to a minimum. This allows for the maintenance of an extremely simple tax system, consisting of only two main types:

• Value-added Tax (VAT): Based on the fair principle of “consume more, contribute more”.
• Corporate Tax: With a reasonable and stable tax rate.

Taxes that “confiscate” the fruits of labor, such as Personal Income Tax, will be abolished. Based on the Heavenly principle, the law of Cause and Effect, and one’s blessings, I find that the application of taxes like the current personal income tax is a form of “brazen but legal robbery”.

4. The State as Referee, Not Player:

The Central Bank will exist as an independent agency but with a very limited role: responsibly managing the printing of money and setting an “interest rate ceiling” as a moral boundary to combat usury. Furthermore, the state will not intervene in the market. For large infrastructure projects, the state budget will only invest in non-profitable works (such as dikes).

All projects with the potential to be profitable (bridges, roads, airports, seaports…) will be opened entirely to the private sector, including foreign investors.

5. Budget Process and Decentralization of Responsibility:

The annual budget approval and implementation process will be simplified to ensure decisiveness and responsibility, completely replacing the role of a Parliament:

• Proposal by the Prime Minister: Annually, the Prime Minister and the government will be responsible for creating and submitting a comprehensive budget plan for the following year to the Wise Ruler.
• Approval by the Wise Ruler: The Wise Ruler is the person with the highest and final authority in approving the allocation of the budget to major sectors (defense, administration, reserve funds…). His decision is based on the plan’s alignment with the long-term vision and the nation’s financial principles.
• Implementation by the Prime Minister: After the general budget is approved by the Wise Ruler, the Prime Minister will have full authority to direct, manage, and spend within that budget to operate the government. This includes the authority to decide on funding for unexpected projects that arise.

This mechanism places responsibility absolutely: the Prime Minister is responsible for spending efficiency, but the Wise Ruler bears the ultimate responsibility for the wisdom and sagacity in approving that plan, as well as in having chosen the Prime Minister.

C. Society (Education, Health, Social Welfare, Political Parties, Science, etc.)

The “State Non-Interference” Philosophy:

The state is not the best teacher or doctor. That role belongs to dedicated educators and medical professionals themselves. Therefore, the state will not interfere in most social activities.

Religion: Absolute Freedom, Profound Respect

A Moral Republic acknowledges that the spiritual journey is the most sacred path of every soul. The role of the state is to protect the space for that journey, not to manage or censor it. Therefore, the policy on religion will operate based on the following principles:

1. Freedom of Belief and Practice without Registration:

• The state will not have any agency to manage religion. The concept of a “state-recognized religion” will not exist.
• All individuals and organizations have the absolute freedom to practice, disseminate, and develop their beliefs, whether they are traditional religions or new spiritual cultivation practices.
• They do not need to seek permission or register their activities with the state, as long as those activities do not violate the basic laws of society.

2. State Support: Assistive, Not Interventionist:

• Spiritual Support: The Council of Sages and the Wise Ruler may issue official statements to recognize and praise the noble moral values that religious communities contribute to society.
• Material Support (conditional): The state may consider granting land for religious organizations to build facilities for worship if deemed reasonable and with the consensus of the local community.
• Apart from this foundational support, the state will not grant any other financial or legal preference to any religion.

3. Clear Demarcation between Personal Faith and Public Duty:

• The Wise Ruler, members of the Council of Sages, and all public officials have the right to their own personal beliefs.
• However, when participating in religious activities, they must do so in their capacity as a private citizen, and are not permitted to use the name or privileges of the state.
• The Wise Ruler and all levels of leadership are strictly prohibited from using their power to compel or suggest that anyone follow a belief similar to their own.

4. “Temple of Heavenly Offerings”: The Spiritual and Moral Symbol of the Nation:

• While respecting the diversity of all beliefs, the nation will construct a common spiritual edifice, not belonging to any specific religion, named the “Temple of Heavenly Offerings”.
• Philosophy and Design: The architecture of the “Temple of Heavenly Offerings” must reflect a balance between two elements: on one hand, it must reflect a profound respect for the authentic spiritual traditions and beliefs of humanity; on the other hand, it must highlight and anchor the universal, core moral values that the nation takes as its foundation. The entire design must be deeply imbued with the nation’s cultural identity.
• Exclusive Function and Role: The “Temple of Heavenly Offerings” is a space with an exclusive role, to be used only for the most solemn and sacred ceremonies of the nation, presided over by the Wise Ruler or the Council of Sages. To ensure absolute solemnity, all other activities by individuals, groups, or religious organizations will not be permitted to be freely organized here.

Culture and Arts: The Foundation of the Nation’s Soul

A nation can be economically prosperous and militarily strong, but if its culture decays, that nation is but a soulless corpse. In the value system of a wise leader, Religion is the root of morality, Culture is the stream that nourishes the soul, and Education is the tool for its transmission. Therefore, culture and the arts (including poetry, music, cinema, painting…) are a domain regarded with the highest importance.

However, true art cannot be born from a decree. The role of the state is to create an environment where the Beautiful and the Good can sprout naturally, not to be a gardener who prunes every branch and leaf to his own liking.

1. The State Does Not Interfere, It Only Guides:

• There will not be any “Ministry of Culture” or any censorship agency. The state will not fund, control, or issue directives on creative content.
• The artist has absolute freedom to create. Whether a work is embraced by society or not will depend on its own moral value and depth.

2. Taking Morality and Reverence for the Divine as the Foundation:

• True art is the expression of humanity’s appreciation for the beauty of the Heavens, a praise of kindness, and an exposure of falsehood to guide people back to the Truth.
• Society will be oriented to value works that are capable of elevating the human soul, rather than decadent forms of art.

3. The Council of Sages as the Aesthetic Lighthouse:

• The guiding role of the state will be carried out subtly through the Council of Sages.
• When the Council of Sages publicly cherishes a work that profoundly expresses the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, that is the most precious guidance, which will naturally create a cultural current that trends toward goodness without the need for coercion.

Education:

There will not be a “Ministry of Education” holding absolute power as there is today. Instead, an Education Advisory Council will be established.

The role of this council is not to advise the Wise Ruler, but to be a general guiding body for the entire education system, including schools, publishers, parents, and students. They are the lighthouse of knowledge and morality for the entire sector.

• Structure and Benefits: The council consists of 25 official members and 25 reserve members, paid by the state. The salary is equivalent to about 8 to 15 times the average income of the people for official members, and 5 to 10 times for reserve members.
• Selection Mechanism: Members will be selected from three sources: 15 members nominated and elected by schools throughout the country; 5 members nominated by the Wise Ruler; and the remaining 5 members directly elected by the people. That is, every 5-year periodic election will replace 5 people, of whom the Wise Ruler appoints 1, the people elect 1, and the remaining 3 are chosen by the schools in their own way.
• Operating Principle: The members of this council will not be professional politicians; they will continue to maintain their existing jobs and roles in society (e.g., lawyer, CEO, scientist, monk…). The role on the council is a part-time service, because the state needs their virtue and wisdom, not their entire time. Similar to the Legislative Advisory Council, members can also be foreigners, selected based on wisdom and experience rather than nationality (however, upon agreeing to accept this position, they will also be granted official citizenship).

This council does not interfere in the specific operations of the schools. There will be no national textbook series or common examinations. Autonomy over curriculum and pedagogical methods is fully granted to private schools.

• There will be no national textbook series or common examinations. Autonomy over curriculum and pedagogical methods is fully granted to the schools.

Education Safety Net: To ensure that no child is left out of school, the state will maintain a minimalist public school system at the basic general education level, reserved for families in particularly difficult circumstances.

• Operating Body: This system will be managed by a lean “Bureau for the Operation of Public Education,” which is responsible only for administrative matters (budget allocation, personnel coordination, facilities) and has no authority to interfere in teaching expertise.
• Teacher Resources: The teaching staff will mainly be young people performing their “National Service”. To ensure quality, the selection will prioritize those in the top 10% of the program’s most outstanding individuals. This turns teaching at public schools into a noble mission of service for the nation’s young elite.

Of course, these public schools may be of lower quality than private schools and may be viewed with a certain stigma by society. But according to the law of Cause and Effect, that is each person’s lot. The state, out of compassion, ensuring that all children can attend school and receive basic knowledge for free is already a favor. The responsibility to rise above hardship to change one’s own destiny still belongs to the efforts of each individual.

Science and Technology: Driven by the Private Sector, Not a Mission of the State

In the Moral Republic, the advancement of science and technology is seen as the natural result of society’s creativity and needs, not a strategic goal that the state must pursue with its budget.

• Socialization of All Research and Production Activities: The state will not invest in, own, or operate any research institute or factory. All R&D and high-tech production activities, including the defense industry, will belong to the private sector. When necessary for defense purposes, the government will procure weapons from private suppliers in limited quantities.
• No Science Management Apparatus: To demonstrate its radical non-interference, the state will not have a “Ministry of Science and Technology”. The state will have no role in evaluating or issuing patents. This responsibility will belong to independent professional organizations established and operated by civil society and the private sector. The state will only maintain a minimalist administrative agency to register and legally recognize patents that have been granted by these reputable organizations, to ensure that citizens’ intellectual property rights are protected in court.

Associations and Political Parties: Voice Respected, Power Limited

Modern democracies have been deeply wounded by partisan infighting, where loyalty to the party is often placed above the interests of the nation. To break this cycle, the Moral Republic will establish a completely new model for political and social activities, based on the core principle: separating voice from power.

1. Freedom of Association and Absolute Neutrality:

• All citizens have the absolute freedom to form groups, social organizations, or political parties without needing to register with or seek permission from the state.
• The government will maintain an absolutely neutral stance: there will be no specific actions of support or opposition. All activities of these organizations, including their operating costs, are their own responsibility.

2. Voice Respected, Power Nullified: This is the most revolutionary principle to ensure that political parties cannot dominate the state:

• The Right to a Voice: Political parties are allowed to operate as ideological forums. They can present platforms, organize seminars and rallies, and publicly offer criticism and counterarguments to government policies.
• Power Nullified: However, political parties will have no official role in the state’s election or appointment processes. They do not have the right to send representatives or nominate candidates for core positions of power such as the Wise Ruler, members of the Council of Sages, or ministerial posts.
• Purpose: This principle ensures that national leaders are chosen based on their individual talent and virtue, not on the backing of a political party. It transforms political parties from “election machines” into “think tanks,” contributing to society with wisdom, not power.

3. Separation between Party Membership and Public Duty:

• A leader, including the Wise Ruler, may be a member of a political party. This is their right as a private individual.
• However, when performing their public duties, they must act solely as a servant of the nation, responsible to the entire populace, and may not act in the name of or for the benefit of their political party. The use of state power to promote the agenda of a political party is strictly prohibited.

With this model, society’s energy will not be consumed by pointless partisan struggles. Instead, it will be used to build a polity based on wisdom and personal responsibility.

Healthcare: Kindness within the Limits of the Heavenly Principle

From the perspective of the sages, nothing happens by chance. A person’s illness and adversity are not merely malfunctions of the body, but are often part of an arrangement by the divine to help that soul have the opportunity to endure hardship and eliminate karmic force. Even a Buddha with boundless divine power would not casually intervene to cure all of humanity’s illnesses, because doing so would violate the law of Cause and Effect.

Therefore, the role of a state that follows the Heavenly principle is not to use the power of the human realm to forcefully disrupt that arrangement. Health policy, therefore, must be built on kindness, but a kindness that is accompanied by humility and wisdom.

Instead of a comprehensive welfare system, the state will only establish a “Healthcare Safety Net” as a final humanitarian gesture, operating based on the following principles:

• Beneficiaries: Only for individuals who are alone, without assets, and confirmed by the local community to be completely unable to work to be financially self-sufficient.
• Method of Operation: A lean “Bureau for the Operation of Humanitarian Health” will pay for the treatment costs of eligible individuals at private medical facilities.
• Dual Limitation (Frequency and Cost): This strict dual limitation is necessary because a state in the human realm cannot, in the name of “humanitarianism,” continuously intervene and inadvertently deprive a person of the opportunity to pay their karmic debt. This limit is a moral boundary:
  • Frequency: The state will support the costs for a maximum of 3 instances of hospitalization or treatment for serious illnesses during a lifetime.
  • Cost: The cumulative cost for all 3 instances of support will not exceed a lifetime budget equivalent to 1 year’s average income of the people.

This limit demonstrates that the state has done its duty with all kindness, and then humbly bows, not daring to overstep its position to intervene more deeply in the arrangement of the Heavens regarding that person’s fortune and karmic retribution.

Civil Service Reform: Elite Service, Supreme Responsibility

To completely eliminate the mentality of “settling for a safe post and its perks” and the scourge of corruption, the civil service will be restructured with the goal of building an elite team that is deservedly compensated and held to the highest level of accountability. This model is built on the following foundational principles:

1. The Principle of “Maximum Digitalization” and Socialization of Public Services:

• The foundation of a lean state apparatus is the radical transformation of the way public services are delivered.
• The majority of public administrative services will be conducted entirely online through a single national service portal.
• Services that are not core functions of the state will be completely transferred to the private sector to perform.
• Consequence: This principle will make the civil service extremely lean, leaving only a small team responsible for policymaking, oversight, and the operation of core systems.

2. Deserved Compensation to Eliminate Corruption from the Root:

• Because the apparatus has been streamlined, the state has sufficient resources to invest in talent. The salaries of civil servants will be set at a high and competitive level, about 30% higher than the market average.
• Purpose: The high compensation aims to attract the most outstanding talents and completely eliminate the excuse for corruption.

3. Recruitment Mechanism: Empowerment and Responsibility:

• The central government will only issue a “General Recruitment Framework” with core principles on competence and morality.
• Within that framework, the head of each agency has full autonomy to design their own recruitment process to find the most suitable talent for their unit.

4. Equality in Social Welfare, Abolition of Pension Privileges:

• Like all other citizens in society, civil servants will not have a separate pension system provided by the state.
• Applying a single social welfare principle to the entire population will completely eliminate the “safe seat” mentality, ensuring that everyone has an equal responsibility in planning for their old age.

Designing an Anti-Corruption System from the Root

A high-paying and elite civil service must go hand-in-hand with a system designed to nip corruption in the bud. Instead of focusing only on punishment after the fact, this model concentrates on eliminating both the  motive and the opportunity to commit wrongdoing.

1. Eliminating the Motive for Corruption:

• Deserved Compensation: A salary 30% higher than the market rate eliminates the excuse of “corruption due to poverty”.
• Income Tied to Performance: Applying bonuses based on performance and citizen satisfaction encourages civil servants to work for the common good.

2. Maximally Reducing the Opportunity for Corruption:

• Applying an “Anonymous Mechanism” for Major Decisions: To prevent collusion in large projects, an anonymous review process, similar to grading university entrance exams, will be applied. Both the contractor and the evaluator will not know each other’s identity; the final decision will be based on an objective scoring system.
• Operating Public Services on the Principle of “Online First, Anonymous Processing”:
  • Priority Channel (Online): The majority of services will be performed online. The system will automatically allocate files to civil servants randomly and anonymously.
  • Support Channel (Two-Layered Offline): For special cases, citizens will go to private public service companies. These companies will only receive and digitize the files, after which the files will also be entered into the state’s random and anonymous processing system.
  • Result: Regardless of how the file is submitted, the direct link between the person in need and the person with decision-making power is completely severed.
• Mandatory Rotation and Term Limits: No civil servant may hold a decision-making position for more than 5-7 years to break the formation of “interest networks”.

3. Respecting Privacy and Upholding Responsibility:

• The mechanism of mandatory asset and gift declaration will be completely abolished. This decision is based on the core principle:

“Choose people carefully, and once you use them, you must trust them”.

• A well-designed system does not need a measure that is suspicious and insulting to the honor of civil servants. That they may have additional legal income from their personal abilities is something to be respected.

4. Ultimate Punishment for the Crime of Willful Betrayal:

• Scope of Application: This punishment is reserved for only the most serious crimes that demonstrate willful betrayal, such as the intentional embezzlement of public funds on a large scale or colluding with contractors to gut projects, reducing the quality of public works.
• Nature of the Crime: This is considered the crime of “Willfully Betraying the Esteem and Trust of the Nation”.
• Punishment: Confiscation of all assets and a permanent ban from holding any public office, with no opportunity for pardon for this crime.

5. Titles and the “Achievement Disease”

To build a clean civil service and a society of substance, the State will not establish a mechanism to manage or award any kind of official titles, prizes, or medals. This principle prevents from the outset the “achievement disease” and the negative behaviors that arise from the race to gain government recognition.

In a clean civil service, the only and most noble recognition for a public servant is the satisfaction of the people, deserving compensation, and the pride of serving.

At the same time, the consideration and awarding of prizes in professional fields will belong to the freedom of civil society. Professional associations, cultural and scientific organizations… have the full freedom to establish and honor outstanding individuals and works according to their own criteria. The State maintains an attitude of absolute neutrality and does not interfere in these activities.

Social Welfare: Restoring Responsibility and Filial Piety

One of the most foundational and revolutionary policies of the Moral Republic is the complete abolition of the mandatory pension and social insurance system managed by the state.

This policy is not for financial reasons, but stems from a profound understanding of morality and the Heavenly principle. The modern pension system, despite its initially good intentions, has inadvertently inflicted three deep wounds on the soul of society:

• Eroding Filial Piety: It has broken the sacred bond and natural responsibility within the family. By creating an anonymous “pension fund,” the state has inadvertently stripped children of the opportunity and duty to express their gratitude by providing for their parents.
• Creating an Immoral Burden: It forces subsequent generations to bear a debt they did not create, to pay for a system from which they themselves may not benefit.
• Contradicting the “Work-Reward” Principle: It violates the basic principle of Cause and Effect: “Do much, receive much; do little, receive little; do nothing, receive nothing”. By decoupling individual effort from the reward received, it inadvertently fosters a mentality of dependency, laziness, and erodes self-reliance.

Instead of entrusting this to a state machine, this model will restore the three natural and sustainable pillars of social welfare, which have been the foundation of moral societies for thousands of years:

• Pillar 1: Personal Responsibility (The Foundation of Self-Reliance): Every adult has the basic responsibility to plan and save for their own future. The state will create a stable economic environment with low taxes to encourage two main forms of self-reliance:
  • Personal Savings and Investment: Citizens are free to accumulate their own assets.
  • Voluntary Retirement Plans: Anyone can freely participate in pension insurance plans and private investment funds to proactively and effectively provide for their old age.
• Pillar 2: Family Responsibility (The Heart of Social Welfare): The most steadfast and noble pillar of social welfare is the family. Children have the natural moral duty to provide for and take care of their parents in their old age. This is not just a material responsibility, but also a continuation of gratitude and a way for blessings and virtue to be passed down through the clan.
• Pillar 3: The Kindness and Support of the Community (Voluntary Safety Net): For the less fortunate (those without family, children, or who meet with calamity), their welfare network will come from the kindness and support of the community: mutual aid societies, charitable organizations, religious groups, and neighbors.

A society where people take care of themselves, where children are filial to their parents, and where the community supports one another will not only be more financially sustainable, but also far more noble in a moral sense than a society that delegates responsibility to the state.

D. National Service: Service is a Shared Responsibility

Instead of the traditional military conscription model, the state will establish a “National Service” system for all young men and women between the ages of 18 and 30. There are two main forms of service:

1. General Form:

This is the default option, with a flexible service term from 6 months to 1 year. Citizens can register for their preferred time and choose from a variety of jobs, from administrative support and environmental protection to basic roles in the military and police forces. Those who work far from home will be provided with room and board by the state. Others will receive a basic allowance, equivalent to 70% of the average salary of a new graduate.

2. Alternative Form (For individuals with special talents):

Individuals with special abilities (entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, athletes…) can apply to perform their service in an alternative form. To be approved, they must meet two conditions:

• Special Financial Contribution: Pay a sum equivalent to, for example, 3 years of the per capita income.
• Contribution through Expertise: Commit to dedicating a certain number of hours to serving the community with their talent (e.g., mentoring startups, providing free medical examinations, teaching…).

Regulation and Exemption Mechanism: To ensure sustainability, the state has the right to regulate the program by temporarily reducing the term or the number of people approved if necessary. Additionally, the review of cases for “Alternative Service” or “Special Exemptions” (for individuals with extraordinary contributions) will be decided by a specialized agency for National Service or by the Provincial government, based on transparent criteria. The Wise Ruler and the Council of Sages only set the general principles and do not intervene in specific cases.

E. Preserving the Divine Order: Boundaries on Life and Technology

A moral republic must recognize that the arrogance of human intellect has gone too far, crossing the boundary between “healing” and “remaking” life, creating acts that defy God and go against the Heavenly principle.

Therefore, the state must establish clear boundaries. For acts that disrupt the sacred order of life and free will, the state will not recognize, protect, or fund them, and will only issue recommendations based on a moral perspective. These acts include:

• Abortion: This is not a “right to choose,” but an act of depriving a predestined being of the opportunity to be reincarnated and come into this world.
• Artificial insemination from a donor and surrogacy: These methods break the sacred bloodline connections and karmic bonds of the family.
• Infringement upon Will and Thought: All technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots, must be developed within the limits of serving humans, not controlling them. The following acts, because they intrude upon the deepest level of the soul and blur the sacred boundary between creation and machine, will not be supported:
  • Using AI or any technology to control or manipulate the thoughts and free will of a being, whether human or animal.
  • Implanting chips or electronic devices into the brains of humans or animals for the purpose of controlling or altering their natural essence. Even if these projects are done in the name of science and progress, they remain an immeasurable threat to the future of humanity and the natural order.
  • Integrating the human brain or consciousness into a robot body or a computer system, turning a human being into a semi-mechanical life form.
• Human genetic modification and cloning: This is the most arrogant act of “playing God,” interfering with the code of life that God created.
• Interference with the order of species: The use of technology for genetic modification, unnatural crossbreeding, attempts to revive extinct species, or the creation of entirely new species are all acts of arrogance. These actions disrupt the balance of the ecosystem that Nature took millions of years to create. Traditional methods of grafting and breeding, which follow nature and have been used by farmers for generations, do not fall into this category.
• Organ transplantation: The act of moving an organ from one body to another, even if voluntary, is also an interference with the perfect whole that God has bestowed. It is not just a physical exchange, but also a disturbance of information and karmic force between beings.
• Interference with other worlds: If one day human science can travel to other planets or enter other dimensions, the principle of inviolability must be strictly adhered to. We must not arbitrarily interfere with the environment, seize resources, or disrupt the social functioning of the beings in those places. The act of kidnapping or deceiving beings from other worlds to bring them to Earth as “guinea pigs” for experiments or to display them as “strange creatures” is also an act that will not be supported. The act of violating other worlds is also an expression of arrogance and will create unforeseeable karmic consequences.

It must be emphasized that these moral boundaries are set for scientists and ordinary people who are acting based on human intellect and desire. They do not apply to special cases where a true spiritual cultivator, with great compassion and virtue, receives direct guidance and permission from the divine to carry out a certain mission. In that case, their actions are no longer an interference by man, but have become part of the arrangement of the Divine Will.

The state will not automatically punish any individual or organization that performs the above acts, unless there is a lawsuit from a victim, or when authorities detect signs of a crime such as coercion, fraud, or the trafficking of human bodies. A society that truly respects life will not seek to “remake” it according to its own will, but will humbly live in harmony with the laws that have been arranged.

F. Environment

A moral society must know how to respect Heaven and Earth. Environmental policy must address both aspects: modifying behavior in the human realm and understanding the causes at a deeper level. We will adopt the world’s strictest standards for emissions and wastewater treatment, similar to the models of the Nordic countries and Japan. At the same time, reforestation policy will prohibit the planting of monoculture trees that are harmful to the soil, such as eucalyptus, and will instead focus on restoring diverse, natural forest ecosystems.

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This article is an excerpt from the book “AFTER POWER: THE LEGACY” – which includes the complete exclusive interview by journalist Julian Lee with a former US President.

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