What do the two selected documents reveal about concepts of governance and the
attributes of an ideal ruler in the societies in question?
The documents “Emperor Taizong on Effective Government” and “Prince Shōtoku’s
Seventeen-Article Constitution”, both reveal aspects of China and Japan’s governance.
China’s governance is seen to be influenced by traditional practices, and exceedingly by
Confucianism. Whilst we see an extreme influence of other country’s when examining Japan.
Japan shows similar leadership towards China, and is influenced by the practice of
Buddhism.
The Chinese political and cultural tradition was conceded by a succession of rival dynasties
vying for supremacy (Murphey, 2015). The document elaborates that china was ruled by a
monarchy as the government was controlled by an emperor and a royal family. The
government was based superably on a Confucian model, which effectively demonstrated that
the ruler was a virtuous man who led by example. The Mandate of Heaven is an ancient
philosophy that developed a notion that heaven could take away a dynasty’s right to rule,
dating back to 1046BCE. It provides an important insight into perceptions of governance and
leadership from the perspective of Emperor Taizong (Ebrey, 1993). This effectively led
emperors to do as much as they can to maintain their power and leadership, traced down from
early 1500BC. The military was a strategic technique that assisted a ruler in keeping his
powerful position. In China an emperor appointed both a magistrate or governor and a
military official as an efficient system that ensured good administration (Murphey, 2015).
Referring to the provided document it is argued by Confucius that, “not teaching people how
to fight is the same as discarding them” (Ebrey, 1993). Emphasising that military serves to
benefit the kingdom. While the Mandate of Heaven is based upon the ancient god or divine
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force known as Heaven having to select a particular individual to rule on behalf of the earth,
this provides insights into China’s governance. Allowing the realisation that governance was
somewhat based upon traditional beliefs. Whereas, the military was very well developed
particularly form controlling the people of China. The government that these dynasties
created in China, had a strong tendency to be very autocratic, enforcing their rules and
conscripting massive armies and labour forces. The document provided based on China,
suggests that a ruler should present themselves to be royal to not only themselves but the
people. The document suggests that an emperor will not tire his people or disturb his
subordinates. Elaborating on the respectful character of an emperor. Excerpts reveal that Li
Shimin was a devoted and loyal ruler to his country. Associating all his decisions with the
people of the country. Li Shimin is portrayed to be a strong and leading ruler, who brought
his father to leadership by successful military campaigns. Overall, the document provides an
insight of how China’s governance was influenced by traditional beliefs, and Confucianism.
The Japanese government was highly influenced by Confucianism. Japan’s government was a
constitutional monarchy where the Emperor’s power was highly limited to mainly ceremonial
duties. Nature in Japan was seen as productive, as in China (Murphey, 2015). The feudal
period of Japanese history was a time when powerful families (Daimyo), and the military
power of warlords (Shogun), and their warriors, the samurai ruled Japan. Similar to the way
that China’s government ruled their country, they believed that a good government was
reflected on the people of the country. Demonstrated in Prince Shōtoku’s ‘Seventeen-Article
Constitution’, when an individual receives commands from their Sovereign, they should not
fail to carry them out or ruin will be the natural result. (Kublin, 1968).
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While the government portrayed a Confucianism government, they were highly influenced by
Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced into Japan from Korea in the sixth century CE,
influencing the government as it became a major religion in Japan. Buddhist monasteries
were established across the country, becoming powerful political players in Japan. Buddhism
essentially brought with it political structure that revolutionised many aspects of the Japanese
government. Mentioned in the document (Kublin, 1968), there were three treasures, which
were Buddha, the (Buddhist) Law and the (Buddhist) Priesthood. Being a key religion
practiced throughout Japan, it had influenced government practices as it was included in the
law. While Buddhism played an important role in influencing the Japanese government, we
can examine that Japan was easily influenced by surrounding countries.
The document provided based on Japan, suggests that a ruler should present themselves to be
powerful, and to react upon the people of Japan. Illustrated by the Prince Imperial Shōtoku,
the evil should be punishes and the good should be rewarded (Kublin, 1968). Shōtoku also
contended that good qualities of an individual should not be hidden (Kublin, 1968), this
suggests that the ruler did have compassion for the people of the country. Overall, the
document provided reveals that the concepts of the Japanese government are influenced
heavily on China as they portrayed a Confucianism aspect, and by Buddhism.
In conclusions, the two selected documents reveal that China and Japan’s government was
influenced particularly by Confucianism. China portrayed a strong Confucianism aspect as it
had been characterised as a system of ethical philosophy. China’s governance was also
influenced by military actions. Also being influenced by Confucianism, Japan’s government
had a major encouragement of Buddhism. All these aspects shaped the attributes of an ideal
ruler in both China and Japanese societies.
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Reference List:
- Murphey, R (2015). A history of Asia: China: a golden age (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
- Murphey, R (2015). A history of Asia: Early, classical, and medieval Korea and Japan
(7th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
- Kublin, H (1968). Japan: Selected Readings. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, pp. 31-34.
- Ebrey, P.B (1993). Chinese Civilisation: A Sourcebook. (2nd ed.). New York: The Free
Press, pp.12-115.
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