This study investigates the role of the theory of humane politics (renzheng) in China from the 3rd to the 10th century. The political theory of renzheng plays an important part in the teachings of Mencius. It is based on his philosophical concept of human nature, which claims that human beings are born naturally good. In his renzheng theory Mencius opposes autocratic rule, favoring instead the idea of government in the interest of the people, and demanding the realization of a moral rulership. After the downfall of the Han dynasty a period of political and social crises followed. Some thinkers of that period were obviously influenced by ideas connected to important concepts of Mencius´ renzheng theory. They discussed such ideas in the hope to find solutions to the political, social and economical problems of their times. Even if these thinkers mostly didn´t refer explicitly to Mencius´theory, in my view they still seem to be more or less inspired by it. It is true, some of the concepts of the renzheng theory were already discussed before Mencius, but he was the first thinker who formed out of them a coherent political theory. In my opinion the importance of the renzheng theory was also recognized by certain Confucian scholars after Mencius because it offered to them a possible way to cope with some of the specific problems of the imperial Chinese state and society. However, important parts of this theory were often ignored and even opposed by the leading and powerful figures in state and society because they regarded them as dangerous for their own political interests.