Legalism
A philosophy that people are bad by nature and need to be controlled by the government
Real World Example
Legalism was an important philosophy during the Qin Dynasty in the Huang He Valley, emphasizing strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order and control over society. This approach emerged as a response to the chaos and disorder of the Warring States period, where different regions battled for power. Legalists believed that strong, centralized authority was necessary to unify China and prevent further conflict. Today, the concept of legalism can still be seen in strict laws and regulations that some governments use to maintain control, such as curfews or zero-tolerance policies in schools. For example, a school might have a rule that if a student is caught bullying, they are immediately suspended, showing how strict rules are used to maintain a safe environment.
