The Warring States and the Legalists

475–221 BCE — East Asia, Warring States China

Today: China (the competing states of the Yellow River basin)

As Zhou authority collapsed, seven states fought for two and a half centuries — and the pressure produced an explosion of thought as rulers hired anyone with a theory of how to win. Confucians argued for virtue, Daoists for withdrawal, Mohists for universal love and better siege engineering. The Legalists argued that human nature is selfish, so build a machine of exact laws and harsh punishments that works regardless of anyone's character. The state that adopted Legalism most ruthlessly was Qin, and Qin won.

Worth knowing: A Legalist reformer tested a new law by offering a reward to anyone who moved a pole from one city gate to another. People assumed it was a trick until one man did it and was paid — the point was not the pole. It was proving the state did exactly what it said it would.

Pattern: Elite overproduction — More aspirants to elite positions are produced than there are seats; surplus elites turn to factional conflict.

Entry 48 of 240 in Precedent, a walk through the whole human story in order.