Legalism

Topic

Legalism

Instructions

Did the legalists help the rise of the Qin dynasty or accelerated the destruction of the Qin dynasty?

Answer preview

As far as world history is concerned, the importance of the legalist political theory cannot be underscored. It paved the way for a ruler to establish supreme control over society, and this consequently meant that central authority was consolidated. This, it must be noted, is also the initial theory where totalitarian power is justified. The Qin dynasty is undoubtedly among the first totalitarian superpowers ever witnessed. Legalism, also referred to as Fajia, represents a traditional Chinese philosophical system. It highlights the fact that the state should be prioritized over the individual. This implies that the actions of humans, as well as their lives, are subjected to the states interests.

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