What are the advantages and disadvantages of a society based on legalism?

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of a society based on legalism!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

First, I'm going to have to assume you are referring to the Chinese philosophy of Legalism, championed by Han Feizi (hahn FAY-zuh), and connected to the rise of the state of Qin (chin) around 2500 years ago in western China, before it was western China!.

The Legalists promoted a sort of enlightened despotism, in which the ruler had extensive powers over the subjects, but was able to protect them and give them cause to be loyal and productive!.
- advantage: you have work!
- disadvantage: you have a "Big Brother" state that's into punishment

The core of Legalism was in discipline and motivation!. The ruler taught the people how to act, rewarded them for correct actions, and punished them for incorrect actions!.
- advantage: as long as you do as you're told, you'll be fine
- disadvantage: that really sucks

Generally, commerce and industry were encouraged, though the state of Qin and the unified Chinese state after conquest by Qin held substantial state interests in productive activities!. Intellectual freedom was unknkown under the Qin rulers, who ordered all Confucian books burned!. (Confucian thought survives because some scholars buried their books rather than surrender them!.)

The state of Qin managed to use war and authoritarianism to bring about a brief pause in civil wars, establish the precedent of a single, centralized government in China, and taint the ideals of Legalism forever!.
- advantage: no civil/regional wars for awhile
- disadvantage: China still has an authoritarian government, though blaming Legalism might not really hold waterWww@QuestionHome@Com