II. Ancient and Classical Periods, 3500 B.C.E.–500 C.E. > C. Early Civilizations and Classical Empires of South and East Asia > 4. China, to 221 B.C.E. > a. Schools of Classical Chinese Thought > 4. Legalism

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4. Legalism
Legalism preached rule by law, not the moral suasion of Confucianism or the antiauthoritarianism of Daoism. It was concerned with how to make the state prosper and continue expanding until the realm was unified. It was a mixture of extreme rationalism, antihumanitarianism, and totalitarianism. Some Legalists stressed administrative bureaucracy, others strict laws.	1
a. Guan Zhong (7th Cent. B.C.E.)
author of the Guanzi, pioneered in bureaucratic reforms in the state of Qi.	2

The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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