Confucian principles emphasized the ruler's responsibility towards the people, and the idea of "benevolent governance" or "ruling by virtue" was upheld. The government officials were selected based on merit through the civil service examination system, which aimed to promote capable individuals to serve the state and the people. Tang Dynasty is known for people's regulations like births, deaths and
The main theme that entangles itself in all of the source material is the idea of how governments should be run in such a powerful empire, such as Imperial Rome and the Han Dynasty. Starting with the first source, it is evident that the first Qin emperor believed that only the orthodox teachings should be tolerated, which meant that the works of the Five Classics and its teachings were to be extinguished. The next primary source serves as a supplement to explaining the fall of the Qin dynasty due to its warring ideas and Jia Yi argues that if Confucius teachings were implemented then the dynasty would have still been intact. The third source explains how the Qin dynasty was unjust in its equal appropriation of punishment against criminals regardless of motives or social class. Essentially, Dong Zhongshu believed that a dynasty could not be successful if it failed to establish a fair and righteous justice system for its citizens.
Han, China and Imperial Rome both had similarities and differences in terms of political control throughout the classical period. Both empires had major differences about their perspectives on what main element could hold their political jurisdictions together, Imperial Rome favored law codes since one would try to obey if they didn’t want to be punished for their actions whereas Han, China reinforced confucius teaching even though they had some laws as well because they thought virtues would guide everyone to follow the right path in the political system. However, both had similarities facing problems with the administration of good bureaucrats who could really reinforce tight vigorous decisions to help political power run smoothly along with
The Han Dynasty is predominantly concerned with laws and education when trying to regulate their citizens. They use Legalist and Confucius teachings as a baseline for how they rule. Furthermore, emperor Han Wudi created the Confucian Education System to teach future government officials discipline and loyalty to elders, especially the emperor. This lowered the chance that bureaucrats would betray them. While men doing government services were disciplined, the government used strict laws and their military to maintain order in the community.
One of the difference between the Qin and the Han dynasty is that Qin dynasty practiced Legalism and the Han dynasty practiced Confucianism. For the Han dynasty, in Document 3, states that they had a exam system of giving opportunities for everyone across the dynasty who has outstanding moral and learning to have a chance to have a role in the government, which shows that the Han dynasty emperor gave more opportunities to the commoners. For the Qin in Document 2, says that the people follow the rules, and there are no trouble because the people understand what happens when they do not follow the rules, which leads to punishments. Which shows that the Qin dynasty had strict rules for people to just obey for the government and have no say. Taking
Confucius Confucius is an educator, politician and a philosopher of the Chinese history; whose philosophy accentuates personal and legislative ethics, perfection of social associations, integrity and authenticity. His supporters contended efficaciously with many other institutes during the Hundred Schools of Thought period only to be bottled-up in kindness of the Legalists through the Qin Dynasty. Subsequent to the triumph of Han over Chu after the breakdown of Qin, Confucius's beliefs got authorized sanction and were then developed into a structure called as Confucianism. Confucius is conventionally accredited for possessing many of the Chinese characteristic texts comprising all of the Five Classics, but contemporary academics are watchful
This is in direct contrast to Confucian principles, which argued, “that a strong government depended on the moral qualities of
Confucius and his disciple Mencius had an influence on Chinese thought and social practice. Chinese traditions of worshiping deceased ancestors and exceptional leaders inspired the growth of Confucianism as a philosophic custom and religion. Confucianism was established as the state’s official doctrine by Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty. However, both philosophies of Confucianism and Daoism believed that anyone can develop wisdom or skill, regardless of social status or birth.
Thesis Confucianism is the most dominant school of philosophy of China. In result of the many contradictions in the teachings of Confucius and the Buddha, Buddhism faced many objections when trying to spread its roots in China. Many confucians strongly disagreed with Buddhism because it disagreed with the fundamentals established in the chinese way of thinking. Use of the Documents
In the Analects, it is written that “They are few who, being filial and fraternal, are fond of offending against their superiors. There have been none, who, not liking to offend against their superiors, have been fond of stirring up confusion.” Confucianism enabled the government to demand complete 8 obedience from its officials and citizens. This allowed the Chinese empire to seek complete unification of their empire.
Confucianism has not only affected China and Asia socially but also politically. Everyone has a role and it is their job to fulfill that role and do it as well as they can. Let the ruler be the ruler, you have your own rule and what you have to do, let the subject be the subject. Showing importance in your role is very important and can make or break the society. Document one suggests that the society will fall apart and not run successfully if the subjects don't fulfill their role.
This legalistic theory was put in place to ensure that no one could challenge the center of power in the royal dynasty and the nation would be highly secured and protected from outsiders that threatened the dynasty’s reign of power. To eliminate this failed doctrine, the legalistic Qin dynasty ensured harsh punishments to those who opposed the new leadership while publicly burning books that presented ideas contrary to Legalism. Although the legalistic period of the Qin dynasty was a relatively short one, it paved way for future dynasties that used similar administrative and political practices. Unlike the Zhou dynasty, the Qin dynasty was a highly centralized state as its bureaucracy was divided into a civil authority, a military authority, and censoragate ministries. The Qin dynasty ensured China would no longer need to wonder whether its central power was sustainable, so the emperor made sure that there were inspectors that surveyed the official’s efficiency throughout each of the three ministry systems.
The Han dynasty’s Confucian government system is better for unifying the people of China than the Qin and their legalistic government style. The Qin dynasty used the system of legalism in its government. Legalism gives the emperor and his government full control. The family unit was seen as a threat to this control. Therefore, Qin Shihuangdi sought to weaken the family unit to maintain his position of power.
Although both Confucius and Mencius have a lot in common with regards to governance, the two do have varying opinions on certain matters such as the legitimacy when rulers are overthrown, and the relationship between the ruler and his people. In precedence to coming up with policies and administrative measures, one has to first consider the issue of human nature as it plays an essential role in the development of a state 's political system. In the Confucian philosophy, the belief is that goodness is innate in humans and that everyone shares this same trait [子曰：“性相近也，习相远也。”] (Analects, 17.2). Mencius further elaborated on this doctrine by stating that it is mankind’s natural tendency to be kind to others, just as water would naturally flow downwards (Mencius, 6A2).
Confucianism thought that a ruler should be like a father by setting good examples for the people of China. He also thought that a ruler should be honest, good, and wise in order for the people to follow him. “But he said the best way to rule was through an honorable government and right relationships”
