Inspirations Of Lao-tzu’s Ideas For Governmental Public Management

Since the reform and opening, with constant development of social economy, it’s essential to establish a sound public management system with Chinese characteristics. As the classic of Taoism in China, Lao-tzu, in spite of 5000 words only, contains abundant philosophical thoughts. In the book, his ideas of management still play an active role in public management construction of modern government, which still requires us to research.The thesis mainly narrates some inspirations of Lao-tzu’s management ideas for governmental public management construction. The introduction part states that management ideas of Lao-tzu are still of referential meaning and guiding function to public administration theory and reform of modern government by defining the connotations of governmental public administration and analyzing the dilemma of modern governmental public administration. The first part holds “respecting truth” is the metaphysical foundation of governmental public administration. By analyzing the connotations of Lao-tzu’s “Tao”, it showed that “Tao” is the essential root of governmental public administration and respecting and following Tao are the substantial requirements and intrinsic basis. The second part “respect virtue” refers to moral concept of governmental public administration. By stating the ideas of Lao-tzu on virtue, content and the triple gem, it made clear the moral belonging of governmental public administration. The third part “Tao modeling itself after nature” refers to “government by inaction” mentioned in governmental public administration. By analyzing the management principles of “Tao modeling itself after nature”, enduring shame and the winning of the gentle over the tough, it showed that “action through inaction” is the highest realm of governmental public administration. The conclusion part presented the writing intention of this paper and summarized the management ideas of Lao-tzu briefly.With “Tao” as the core in Lao-tzu, the thought of management has nature of “governing by inaction”. Through summarizing and analysis of management ideas in Lao-tzu, the thesis explores the essence of its management ideas. Therefore, with the scientific adoption of some positive and reasonable concepts in its management thoughts and methods, the author hopes it can enhance the development of public management and further improve management methods of our government.