Shen Buhai is known for his ideas on Shu (method), and considered it an important way for the ruler to manage the ministers and seek political achievements.

Shen Dao played an important role into transforming the Taoist ideas into Legalism, and advocated the importance of Shi (legitimacy) for the rule of an emperor.

  Contribution

After the Qin State united China, and ceased the longstanding social unrests and chaos, China began the thousand-year-long emperor autocracy, entering another phase of history. Legalism definitely contributed greatly to the unity of China at the time. The political systems and reforms in the following dynasties were all more or less guided and influenced by Legalism. However, while Legalism greatly advocated the power of the monarchs, it did not have a system to counterbalance it, resulting in the tendency of the "rule of men" in Chinese history.

Author: Jeff