The term means to ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment. The ancients believed that this was the basic responsibility and main purpose of the state and of those governing it. A peaceful and satisfied populace results in widespread support for the rulers, making governance less costly and more effective. The heart of the concept is to guarantee the genuine interests of the people, and to identify and correct failings in both policies and procedures in a timely way. The expression mirrors the concept “people are the foundation of the state.