The Book of Lord Shang

The Book of Lord Shang

Legalism (Chinese philosophy), Political philosophy, Feudalism, Governance in ancient China, State control and obedience, Qin Dynasty, Chinese history

The Book of Lord Shang (Shang Junshu, 商君书), authored by Shang Yang (390–338 BCE), encapsulates his legalist philosophy and serves as a guide for emperors on ruling the country (ChinaKnowledge.de, n.d.). This text, also known as Shangzi, centers on the principle of "weakening the people and strengthening the state." Shang Yang posited that the state and its people exist in a state of inherent conflict: when the people are strong, the state is weak, and conversely, when the state is strong, the people must be weakened. To achieve national strength, Shang Yang advised the rulers of Qin to systematically weaken their populace. In the book, Shang Yang outlines five key techniques for controlling the people: stupidity, weakness, poverty, fatigue, and humiliation. Each of these strategies was designed to suppress the potential power of the masses, ensuring their submission while bolstering the authority and strength of the state.

Shang Yang (商鞅)

https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-book-of-lord-shang/9780231179881

Columbia University Press

390–338 BCE

Shang Yang (商鞅)

Digital document

English

Book

ShangJunshu_LordShang_4thCenturyBCE

Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE)