Fa tradition in China
China, Warring States and Qin empire
Texts associated with this tradition study administrative standards, incentives, and techniques of rule.
Historical context
Texts associated with the fa tradition arose in pre-imperial Chinese debates over administration, the military, and government.
Overview
Defining responsibilities, rewards, and penalties in advance can reduce dependence on officials’ personal judgments. At the same time, setting standards concentrates power in those who determine how they apply.
Main claims
Public standards and incentives can be central tools of government and administration.
Debates and nuances
The conventional label legalism groups different authors and can suggest misleading legal analogies.
This entry provides educational context.