The Question of the World (3) What is the "Tacitus Trap"?

The so-called "Tacitus Trap" is a political view put forward by the ancient Roman historian Tacitus, that is, when power loses credibility, whether it is telling the truth or lying, doing good or doing bad, society will give a negative evaluation. This view has been consistently justified in practice, and Western political science has dubbed it the "Tacitus Trap."

On March 18, 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping mentioned the "Tacitus Trap" in his speech at the enlarged meeting of the Standing Committee of the Lankao County Party Committee in Henan Province. He said: If the mass viewpoint is lost, the mass stand is distorted, and the mass line is deviated, there will be no you in the eyes of the masses, and if it really comes to that day, it will endanger the party's ruling foundation and ruling position. Xi Jinping reminded the whole party to pay attention to the "Tacitus Trap", reflecting the great importance and profound thinking of the central leadership collective on strictly administering the party.

Tacitus was an ancient Roman historian who served as roman consul and came to the feeling of governing: "When a government is not welcome, good and bad policies will offend the people in the same way." This remarkable insight came to be known as the "Tacitus Trap".

The scene of the "Tacitus Trap" is not unfamiliar to everyone. In some emergencies, some local governments or government departments often fall into this trap in response to public opinion: no matter what they say, the people are "old and unbelieving". This makes us have to think about how to effectively govern for the people, be open and transparent, cultivate the credibility of the government, and establish a good image of the government, so as to avoid the emergence of the "Tacitus Trap".

Since the Eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has made a solemn commitment to "strike iron and be tough itself" from the height of the life and death of the party and the country, unswervingly and comprehensively governing the party in an all-round and strict manner, deeply promoting the construction of party style and clean government and the anti-corruption struggle, the party's heart and the people's will have been invigorated, the party's work style and government style have been new, the party's ruling foundation and mass foundation have been further consolidated, and an answer sheet recognized by the people has been handed over in response to the "Tacitus Trap".