What did Legalism serve as the foundation for in China?

Legalism served as the foundation for the structures of the later bureaucratic government in China by promoting a strict set of laws and the belief that a strong, centralized authority was necessary to maintain order and control within society. Legalist thinkers, such as Han Feizi, argued that harsh laws and clear rewards and punishments would lead to a well-regulated state. This ideology became particularly influential during the Qin Dynasty, which implemented Legalist principles to unify various feudal states into one centralized empire.

The emphasis on a structured government with defined roles and responsibilities derived from Legalism ultimately shaped the administrative framework used in subsequent dynasties, establishing a model for governance that relied on bureaucracy, adherence to law, and the loyalty of officials to the state. This contrasts with other philosophies like Daoism and Confucianism, which focus more on individual moral improvement or harmony in social relationships rather than a rigorous legal system.