Political Power In The Early Civilizationss Of India, Persia, Greece, And China

during the Zhou Dynasty, China was experiencing a great deal of political turmoil. A major part of this era was called the Period of the Warring States. It was a time when there were numerous wars that occurred due to the conflict that existed between seven states. (Watkins, 2013) These warring states were the Han, Wu, Zhao, Chu, Qi, Yan and Jin. According to Jerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Ziegler of the book Traditions and Encounters, “This period forced some people to reflect on the nature of society, and the roles of humans beings within society.” The authors continued saying that it forced others to “identify principles that would restore political and social order.” (Bentley & Ziegler, 2011) The principles of Confucianism were established and followed in order to help the citizens of China to live and govern their communities more efficiently. Through Confucianism, Confucius helped legitimize China’s rule and bring about order in the mist of turmoil. The effects of Confucius’ principles are still seen and felt today in many aspects of modern day Chinese society. Veritably, there were points throughout Chinese history where Confucianism affected almost every aspect of life in China. Confucius has impacted the development of Chinese thought and culture in various ways from education to politics, to familial relationships.

They want to emphasize individual virtuous behavior, both by the ruler and the ruled as well as highly recommending obedience and respect, “people should know their place, even under bad rulers.” Even the Han emperors decided to implement Confucius ideas after looking at their doctrine called The Analects. The book shows Confucian political value and social order which states that the aristocrats and the educated are of the highest degree, and then comes farmers, and finally, the merchants. Although both Confucianism and Legalism call for governmental hierarchy, Confucianism possessed an optimistic view of human potential while Legalists believe that a powerful government is necessary along with a carefully devised law rewarding for good deeds and punishing for bad

Mencius, as one of the most influential scholars of Confucian thought, shared many of the same views as Confucius and furthered many of his ideas. One example would be the emphasis on family and its connection to the government. Mencius, like Confucius, saw that the wellbeing of the family was crucial for prosperity of the state. He also emphasized filial piety and advocated for agriculture instead of fighting more wars. Furthermore, he took on the idea of the gentleman versus the ordinary person, someone who was distinguished, diligent, righteous, and respectful. But while the views of Mencius seem to more closely mirror those of Confucius, that was not entirely the case. For example, Confucius emphasized the importance of rulers as well as loyalty to authorities, stressing adherence to the social stratifications set in place by Chinese culture and society. However, Mencius said, referring to the noble ministers of the court, that “When the ruler makes a major error, they point it out. If he does not listen to their repeated remonstrations, then they put someone else on the throne.” He argued that subjects should be able to overthrow a ruler that is unjust, for it is only a ruler that is righteous and benevolent that should be supported by the people. Mencius also stressed the importance of a person’s motives, something not explicitly seen

Secondly, Confucius viewed rules and laws as harmful. He argued that people led by laws and punishments will try to avoid punishment but lose the sense of shame. If they are led by virtue and guided by propriety, they will preserve their sense of shame and become good citizens5. He saw a country as an extended family and a ruler should take care of his citizens like a father would take care of his children. The ruler as the “father” would need to set a proper example for the right ethics to flow down5.

Confucius is one of the first Chinese thinkers who addressed the conflict of political and social order. he was a strong willed man who often did not get along with others. He never realized his ambition to become a powerful minister. Confucius attracted numerous disciples who aspired to political careers. His thought was fundamentally moral, ethical, and political in character. He had his disciples study works of poetry and history made during the Zhou dynasty. He examined the book of Songs, book of History, the Book of Rites, and other works with his students. Literary works of the Zhou dynasty became the core texts of the traditional Chinese education because of Confucius’s influence. There were specific Confucian values indluding ren, li, and xiao. Individuals with ren were courteous, respectful, loyal, and diligent. He said ren is much needed for government

Confucius lived in China during the Spring and Autumn period, which is 571-449 BCE. During this period China’s government and its rulers were corrupt, and because of this Confucius’s philosophy heavily revolves at trying to fix the current problem his society faces by trying to issue solutions within his philosophy. One of the major themes that Confucius always goes back to when talking about how China can become better is to go back to tradition. Tradition to Confucius meant not following mystical entities or abstract ideas, but to follow a simple system like the times of early China. Confucius thinks that the emperors such as Yao and Shun are examples of great leaders of the past, and the current government should follow their example (Christian Violatti, cited in Ancient History Encyclopedia 2013). These rulers ruled without

Some rulers ruled in different ways. Some ruled smart, some ruled in a manner that was not wise, and some ruled harshly against the people of china.

During the Warring State period of China, there were many philosophers who had different views of the governmental system. Legalism, argued by Han Feizi during the Warring State period of China, originated from the idea that humans must be governed by some strong external governmental power. On the other hand, Confucianism put more importance on living with virtue rather than the law itself. Like this, the view on humans of whether they can be trusted or not to govern themselves can hugely affect the governing style of a country. Even though countries are no longer run by certain philosophical ideas, the diverse views on humans or citizens play crucial roles in deciding the focus of aiming to attain unprejudiced society for everyone, the foundation of law, and it will definitely affect people’s everyday lives.

The ancient world was a period of history defined from around the years of 4000-300 B.C.E. This time period encompassed diverse leaders and events that lead to the transformation of political structures and organizations. Political systems in the ancient world evolved over time and could be examined by key elements including leadership, laws, bureaucracy, justice, diplomacy, and warfare. Three essential regions in history that proved to be the foundations of political systems with a focus on these key elements were Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. Mesopotamia

Laozi and Confucius were two prominent philosophers whose teachings shaped Chinese culture and have influenced social views for thousands of years. These great thinkers sought to lay down a path towards goodness and righteousness in society. They provided guidance in the form of moral rules, behavioral codes and social roles. Through their teachings, they intended to mold and structure government in such a way that it may lead people towards goodness. Although both philosophers agreed in many ethical principles and moral aspects, they disagreed in fundamental views on the ideal gubernamental dynamic, role and character in society. While Confucius advocated for a diligent and active government, where ritual propriety and social structure is

Confucius not only changed history by creating his philosophical doctrine, Confucianism, but he influenced the education system in ancient China. As one of China’s greatest philosophers, Confucius was active, good natured person with a good sense of humor. During his time, many people were “born in” to social stature and tended to stay in that level of social strata throughout their lifetime. Confucius was born into neither peasant or high-born status, a common man with high goals would be the best way to describe him. Confucius developed a moral code that would influence and serve as the foundation for official and political policy during the Han Dynasty.

Confucius believed that to regulate a society it means to set rules legitimately and honorably (Chen 413). The only way to have a strong regulated government is through education pertaining to political principles. Therefore, he had to conquer through each state and observed predicaments (Raaflaub 25). Obtaining a substantial government affects the outcome of military performances because the government is the main source of providing funds. Confucius’s philosophical rituals and teachings was used to reinvigorate the parodistic world that he had hoped for.

Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, can be argued to be the first and most significant of Chinese political thinkers. His philosophy traveled across the many kingdoms in China, centuries later becoming a part of the foundation of modern Chinese governance. Born after the fall of the Zhou Dynasty, Confucius belonged to the Warring States Era, a time of significant chaos. From the time of his being to modern day, people from China and many other countries in the world have studied the core values of his teachings, all hoping to make such values applicable to their own lives. Although the extent of Confucius’s teachings is astonishing at the least, one should not neglect to understand the interpretations of

Confucius “The Analects”, written ca. 479-221 B.C.E., tell us what the Chinese people thought made a virtuous man. In their society, youth were supposed to be respectful to their parents at home and elders abroad. They also should “overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good.” Men who are willing to serve their parents, prince, and be genuine with their friends are considered virtuous. They should also honor their parents’ lives through proper funeral rites and the ceremonies of sacrifice. All of these were considered right in this society. Confucius believed that if the people were punished for breaking the law, they would feel no shame about their mistakes. However, if people were led by virtue and were corrected when wrong, then they would feel shame and become good. The text continues with questions about how to change human behavior. Confucius always advises that the best way to bring about a certain behavior is through positive reinforcement and rewarding the upright. “To give one’s self earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.” In Chinese society, the “superior” man is the well-mannered, learned man. These were also the ones who were in power, while the marginalized were the women and the unlearned (Strayer 217-219).

The Confucianist is the ideal role model for society, as the belief system will support order on the journey to understanding the self. The teachings of Confucius heavily influenced the Tang, Han and Song dynasties as an ethical model for family, social and political interactions. The political leaders were urged to practice self discipline, humility, and compassion as leaders in order to effectively lead by example. Confucius’ li directed human behavior as based upon proper conduct, ritual, or propriety that is codified in the Li ji or Record of Rites. Confucius also believed that beyond the values of humanity, goodness, and benevolence, a full knowledge of the world may only be accomplished through obtaining a full understanding of self and of one’s life purpose. Academic learning is deemed as valuable and necessary for social and career advancement. A noble person, or chun-tzu, is one who obeys the teachings of Confucianism and thus is considered a master (Eno, 2015).