Most consider meritocracy the standard for any institution. In fact, most modern college applications are arguably “meritocracies,” seeking the best and most adequate to shape the future of society. As seen in many ancient Chinese dynasties, however, the system is not perfect. When scholars manage a system designed to reward scholars, as in ancient China, the system works well when it needs scholars, but when the government is required to use force, there is no manner of changing the leadership to adapt.
Mencius, a Confucian scholar, once said to King Hui of Liang, “Only the true scholar is capable of maintaining, without certain means of livelihood, a steadfast heart… when an intelligent ruler regulates the livelihood of the people, he makes sure that they will have enough,” (Pomeranz et al. 102). This was the common view of the Confucian system of merit-based bureaucracy. The scholars, as the most intelligent and selfless group, would be the ones with the knowledge, understanding, and compassion to take care of the people without becoming too powerful themselves, and to a degree this was true. The Confucian bureaucracy placed many in positions of power who used their knowledge and education to the benefit of the people, but this was not a permanent trait of the system.
In the Book of Lord Shang, Shang Yang criticized the Confucian system for being the starting point for the weakness of the law and the dynasty as a whole. As Mencius wrote, the Confucian view of the law was that it should center on caring for the people through virtue, saying, “When men are won by virtue, then their hearts are gladdened and their submission is sincere… if you mete out punishment, it is like placing traps for the people. If a humane ruler is on the throne, how can he permit such a thing as placing traps for the people,” (102). This was the view of the Confucian scholars, and so it was the manner in which the government operated. Since the scholars remained in power through the meritocracy-based bureaucracy, it was extremely difficult to change this system. Shang Yang saw this system as flawed and too weak to handle governance adequately. He states in his book, “sophistry and cleverness are an aid to lawlessness… kindness and humaneness are the mother of transgressions… If the virtuous are placed in prominent positions, transgressions will remain hidden,” (de Bary 110). This was a major flaw in the Confucian bureaucracy. It was run by those who were kind hearted and focused solely on the development of virtue and knowledge in the government. As a result, the system became very weak on crime and lawlessness, especially in the eyes of the more militaristic members of society such as Shang Yang. By focusing solely on a caring and virtuous government, “lawlessness” was left unchecked. Furthermore, since the scholars believed this was the best way to govern, it continued to operate in that manner for generations, allowing the growth and spread of unpunished crime.
Shang Yang continues criticizing the weak, comfort and virtue minded scholars, saying, “If the people see both the comfort and the advantage of these… walks of life, then they will indubitably shun agriculture; shunning agriculture, they will care little for their homes; caring little for their homes, they will certainly not fight and defend them,” (110). This was another major flaw of the Confucian bureaucracy. While the system of virtue, kindness, and caring put forward by the Confucian scholars may have been effective in times of peace, it was less than effective in handling matters of force. Punishments for lawlessness were but one example. As a result of the groups the Confucians promoted as beneficial (merchants, artisans, scholars), the people lost interest in ways of life like agriculture. As the agricultural sector suffered, the nation as a whole suffered, especially the military, which relied on agricultural products to maintain the army to defend the country. Furthermore, Shang Yang argues that the Confucian policies undermined the people’s willingness to fight in defense of China, promoting a “soft” society.
While the Confucian bureaucracy may have had many advantages, promoting the virtuous and caring side of the government in an aim to take care of its people and promote the respectful culture of the 5 relationships, it posed a serious threat to the dynasty’s well-being. As pointed out by Shang Yang, when men of peace and virtue govern indefinitely, deterring crime and defending the nation become difficult. Men who might merit running the country in peace, do not necessarily merit handling it in war.
-Nate Forrest
Words: 597
De Bary, Theodore. Premodern Asia. Columbia University Press, 2008.
Pomeranz, Kenneth L., et al. Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: A Companion Reader. Vol. 1, Norton, 2011. ffffff
The West in the Pre-Modern World 