Abstract:

 With the proposal of the objectives for the modernization of national governance, governmental executive ability is endowed with new connotation over the times. The interpretation of governmental executive ability cannot be confined to the level of instrumental rationality which leads to “concealment of value rationality by instrumental rationality”, but seek solution from the fundamental perspective of value rationality while eliminating the hegemony of instrumental rationality. The value rationality of governmental executive power involves subjects’ and objects’ voluntary initiatives, executive willingness, value appeal, intrinsic motivation, etc.. The governmental executive power is in the final analysis driven by spiritual strength. Public spirit as an invisible dominant force pervades many aspects such as subjects, objects, means, value orientation and executive goals, and has an bearing on governmental executive power through influence on subjects, objects, resources and environment. When public spirit is internalized by a variety of social subjects, governmental executive power will have shared value foundation, and the operation of national governance mechanism will be more harmonious and enduring. The public spirit in our country is still a scarce resource, hardly meeting the value requirements for elevating governmental executive power and promoting the modernization of national governance. So we must carry out a concrete and effective system design and make public spirit rooted in the heart of social subjects as a moral belief, life style and habitual conduct naturally acknowledged by the public.

Key words: public spirit, national governance, governmental executive power, government by law, civil society