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

The Book of Lord Shang, compiled in China in the fourth-third centuries BCE, advocates for a powerful government to rule over society and turn every man into a diligent tiller and valiant soldier. It served as the ideology of the state of Qin, which eventually created the first imperial polity on Chinese soil. Yuri Piness' translation highlights the books intellectual boldness and modern-looking ideas, underscoring its vibrant contribution to global political thought. This abridged and revised edition is ideal for newcomers and guides early Chinese scholars and comparatists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 19 March 2019
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Book of Lord Shang, compiled in China during the fourth and third centuries BCE, presents a compelling argument for the establishment of a powerful government that would govern society and transform every individual into a diligent tiller and valiant soldier. This vision aimed to create a "rich state and a strong army" as the initial step toward the unification of "All-under-Heaven." These ideas played a significant role in the state of Qin, which eventually established the first imperial polity on Chinese soil.

In Yuri Piness's translation, The Book of Lord Shang showcases the intellectual boldness and remarkably modern-looking ideas of the text, highlighting its vibrant contribution to global political thought. The book is attributed to Shang Yang and his followers, representing the ideology of China's Legalist School of thought. Over the past ninety years, significant advancements in the study of the book's dating and context have reshaped our understanding of its messages. Pines utilizes these discoveries to offer a fresh interpretation of the book's content and function within the sociopolitical context of its time and subsequent centuries.

This abridged and revised edition of Piness's annotated translation is particularly suited for newcomers to the book, while also providing valuable guidance for early Chinese scholars and comparatists. It emphasizes the book's practical success and its profound influence on political thought and political practice in both traditional and modern China.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 156 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231179898
Edition number: abridged edition