The Philosophy of the Super-State: Legalism

Abstract

Before the unification of China, between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC, several systems of thought emerged that have had a lasting influence not only on Chinese public opinion, but also on thinking about the state and the law. During the Warring States period, individual states sought a means by which they could achieve hegemony. In the system of ideas developed by the Legalists, the representatives of the state of Qin found the principles which, when put into practice, ultimately enabled them to prevail over the other states and unify China. These doctrines proved revolutionary in every respect: they rejected Confucian teachings, introduced a system of rewards and punishments, the latter of which were worked out in great detail, established extremely strict rules, extended the law to everyone equally, and placed all resources at the service of the state.