Legalism, Confucianism, Taoism

Ideas of political legitimacy

In ancient China, a person’s chief loyalty throughout life was to the family. Beyond this, people owed respect and loyalty to the ruler, just as they would to their own father or grandfather. The Chinese believed that royal authority came from heaven. A ruler who was “just” had divine approval, known as the Mandate of Heaven. Rulers were expected to keep the people’s welfare foremost in their rulings. A king who was foolish, selfish, or wicked could lose the Mandate of Heaven. The mandate was a blending of the moral and spiritual. A king was measured by his virtue. Rulers were expected to provide a means for the people to be educated, fed, and protected from outsiders. It was believed that government existed to serve the people. Unjust rulers forfeited the support of the people and the Mandate of Heaven. It was believed that ancestors were watching over the ruler. If he did something to displease them, the spirits would cause some calamity – such as a flood, drought, or riot. If this happened the Mandate of Heaven might pass to another noble family who would then establish a new dynasty and rule. This was called a dynastic cycle. The Mandate of Heaven was the way the ancient Chinese explained natural disasters, rebellions and civil war. The change in dynasties always involved bloodshed, thus the Mandate of Heaven philosophy was used by rulers and leaders of rebellions to justify their actions. Mencius, a disciple of the philosopher Confucius, added a new dimension to the mandate belief. He distinguished between good, benevolent leaders and ruthless, war-like dictators. Mencius said that the people had a right to rebel against bad leaders and even kill them, if necessary, because they had lost the mandate of heaven. Each dynasty came to power claiming that they had a legitimate right to power under the Mandate of Heaven.

Legalism- authoritarian political philosophy (strict laws and harsh punishment)

In Chinese history, Legalism ("School of Law") was one of the main philosophic currents during the Warring States Period, although the term itself was invented in the Han Dynasty and thus does not refer to an organized 'school' of thought. Legalism was a utilitarian political philosophy that did not address higher questions like the nature and purpose of life.

Legalists believed that every aspect of human society ought to be controlled and personal freedom sacrificed for the good of the state.

(The entire system was set up to make model citizens behave and act how the dynasty wanted them to act against their will. The laws supported by the Legalists were meant to support the state, the emperor, and his military. They were also reform-oriented and innovative. In theory, the Legalists believed that if the punishments were heavy and the law equally applied, neither the powerful nor the weak would be able to escape state control. The Legalists especially emphasized pragmatism over precedence and custom as the basis of law. The Legalist philosophers emphasized the primacy of the state over individual autonomy. The lone individual had no legitimate civil rights and any personal freedom had to strengthen the ruler.)

Confucianism

Kangzi (551-479 B.C.E.)-Latin name- Confucus

His doctrine of duty and public service, initially aimed at fellow aristocrats, was to ecom a central influence in Chinese thought.

Parallel between the family and the state (hierarchy)

· Father ruler (at the top)

· Sons public officials (next)

· Wives/daughters common people (then)

Main ideas

· Benevolence

· Avoidance of violence

· Justice

· Loyalty

· Dignity

His later follower Mencius( именно он популяризовал учение). Confucianism became the dominant political philosophy and the core of the educational system for government officials.

Daoism (Laozi)

· Avoiding useless struggles and adhering to the “path” of nature

· All that matters is the individual`s fundamental understanding of the “path”

· Avoid violence if at all possible and take the minimal action necessary for the task