고려 최씨집권기의 輔政과 정치운영

Abstract

After Choi Chung-heon took power in 1196, he strengthened his political power promising that he would overcome the social crisis and defend the dynasty. He and his successors had been in power for more than 60 years since then. What is the reason why they had been able to maintain absolute power so long while the monarchy and the bureaucracy have been maintained? It is generally assumed that they held the strong private power base, but that is not enough explanation. Also, the research perspective that the military regime abused political power is not enough to reveal the historical character of politics at the period. It is necessary to examine the ideological and institutional grounds that officials condoned and justified the political forms of the Choi families regime. First, this study, in order to review the grounds that justifies the political forms, pays attention to the Bojeong(輔政) already performed and discussed in the politics of the first half of the 12th century. Second, it examines the political characteristics that emerged in the process of operating the power by using the Munkaek(門客, private retainers) and the private soldiers(私兵) while maintaining the public bureaucracy. Third, it examines the political characters of the benevolent presents and the banquets that Choi Chung-heon and his successors held frequently in such political form. They expected the effect of securing support base and strengthening their position through such political activities.