Political China

Although many a joke is made of Confucius and his wisdom, there is no doubt that his principles paid a chief role in developing Chinese political thought and culture into what it is today. However, prior to the implementation of Confucian principles two other ideologies affected the governing body and it's populace. These ideologies seem at times to be polar opposites and it can b difficult to see how they all could come from the same people within a thousand year period. However, these three views combine to form the basics of Chinese thought and therefore must be explored.

Confucius, the father of Confucianism, was born in 551 B.C.E. in an age where China was desperately searching for order and stability. Confucius looked at the role of superiors to solve the political crisis. His system called for a hierarchy of the people to be put into place, the upper class or the Junzi, would be respected and obeyed simply for the significance that they were of higher class. But in order to receive this power, these men must have Benevolence, Propriety, and Piety to show that they were worthy.

The relationship between the Junzi and lower classes were intended to be modeled after the relationship of father and son. Just as the son must respect his father, the father should respect his superior, and the superior and so on. The Emperor would respect the Heavens and would dote upon his subjects as if they were all his children. So through these principles everything would naturally flow smoothly...so as natural human beings the ideology was rejected for a time.

Legalism sought a new way to control the populace, through control itself. Harsh and often remembered for creating a resenting populace, Legalism sought to control the people through strict enforcement of specific punishments. According to Han Fenzi, a prominent Legalist philosopher, "If rewards are high, then what the ruler wants will be quickly effected; if punishments are heavy, what he does not want will be swiftly prevented"(http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/newcatalog.aspx?isbn=031245287X). With enough power, fear, and control, the Chinese world. Not drawing a connection to the Star Wars Emperor would be difficult with Legalism.

Daoism would be another Chinese philosophy concerned with the nature of things. Literally. Daoist believed that nature should be allowed to take its course without human intervention and that through this pacifistic view, a great Empire could be created. The Chinese elite would see past the conflict of Daoism and Confucianism and see the two as complements of one whole, yin and yang if you will. Confucianism promoted the education of the populace where Daoism pushed for a return to a natural state. All in all they contributed to creating a state where Confucian politics ruled and Daoistic thought could be respected by those often in touch with nature, as well as a reminder not to abandon their human aspects.

All in all, these three concepts strove to create peace and stability in the face of anarchy and unrest. Confucianism in relationships, Daoism through natural occurrences, and Legalism in the realm of sheer power. Although separately little can be said as to which is better than the other(alright Legalism creates Death Stars) a little portion of each of these theories not only represents Chinese political mindset, but can be noted as parts of all political bodies.