Legalism

Legalism, school of Chinese philosophy, concerned with practical and amorally efficient statecraft. Its greatest exponent was Han Fei, a former disciple of Xunzi often compared with Niccolò Machiavelli, but Legalism is closer to utilitarianism, the state-oriented philosophy of G.W.F. Hegel, or modern totalitarianism. Legalism was chiefly concerned with impersonal codified laws, with which the wise ruler could run his state smoothly; opposing Confucianism, it vigorously criticized moral improvement and traditional social standards. Cultivation of virtue was decried as potentially disruptive; Legalist philosophers preferred a predictably selfish populace, easily manipulated through set rewards and punishments. Han Fei expected the ruler to act within the law, with resultant social order and stability; other Legalists gloried in the subjection of the people for the ruler's benefit. The purpose of the Legalist state machine was war, since Legalism evolved in the savage Warring States period (403-221 bc) which ended China's Zhou dynasty: Han Fei stated that growing population and scarce resources had created pressures insoluble through traditional morality. Virtually all classes beyond soldiers and peasants were deemed unnecessary; state officials were to be rigorously tested for ability, but an official who surpassed his brief should be punished as harshly as one who performed poorly. In the 3rd century bc the state of Qin adopted Han Fei's creed, and used it to conquer and unify China under the Qin dynasty, whose rapid collapse discredited Legalism. However, many of its doctrines, especially the screening of officials, were permanently assimilated into Confucian state orthodoxy.