The Book of Lord Shang: Apologetics of State Power in Early China

Compiled in China in the fourththird centuries BCE, The Book of Lord Shang argues for a new powerful government to rule over society and turn every man into a diligent tiller and valiant soldier. Creating a rich state and a strong army will be the first step toward unification of All-under-Heaven. These ideas served the state of Qin that eventually created the first imperial polity on Chinese soil. In Yuri Piness translation, The Book of Lord Shangs intellectual boldness and surprisingly modern-looking ideas shine through, underscoring the texts vibrant contribution to global political thought.

The Book of Lord Shang is attributed to the statesman and theorist Shang Yang and his followers. It epitomizes the ideology of Chinas so-called Legalist School of thought. In the ninety years since the works previous translation, major breakthroughs in studies of the books dating and context have recast our understanding of its messages. Pines applies these advances to a whole new reading of the texts content and function in the sociopolitical life of its times and subsequent centuries. This abridged and revised edition of Piness annotated translation is ideal for newcomers to the book while also guiding early Chinese scholars and comparatists. It highlights the texts practical success and its influence on political thought and political practice in traditional and modern China. See more