Editing Realpolitik (section)

===China===
{{Chinese Legalism}}

Even prior to the contemporary ''Realpolitik'' term, China has had a "realistic" tradition in its governance dating back thousands of years. Often referred to as [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Chinese Legalism]], the spirit of its content may be most readily recognised by Western viewers through one of its kindred, ''The Art of War''.<ref name="Wealth and Power">Wealth and Power. Orville Schell</ref> Chinese administrative organisation significantly influenced other Asian nations as well as Western administrative practices not later than the 12th century, playing a significant role in the development of the modern state, including the usage of [[Civil service entrance examination|examination]]s<ref group="note">Known as the [[imperial examination]] ({{zh|t={{linktext|科舉}}|s={{linktext|科举}}}}) in China.</ref> for entry to the [[civil service]].<ref name="Creel">{{cite journal|last1=Creel|first1=Herrlee G.|title=Shen Pu-Hai: A Secular Philosopher of Administration|journal=Journal of Chinese Philosophy|date=March 1974|volume=1|issue=2|pages=119–136|doi=10.1111/j.1540-6253.1974.tb00644.x}}</ref><ref name=":2">Van der Sprenkel</ref><ref name="Origins of Statecraft in China">Origins of Statecraft in China</ref><ref name="sjsu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/legalism.htm|title=Legalism and the Legalists of Ancient China|work=sjsu.edu}}</ref>

Starting in the [[Spring and Autumn period]] (771–476/403 BC), a trend of "realistic" reformers were taken on to advance the material interest of their respective [[Seven Warring States|states]], with the [[Qin (state)|Qin state]] founding the first Chinese Empire, [[Qin dynasty]] in 221 BCE, ending China's [[Warring States period]]. The political theory developed during the era, including that of [[Confucianism]] would influence every dynasty thereafter.

Those termed Legalist are more purely "Realpolitikal"<ref group="note">''Civilization and Realpolitik'', by Prasenjit Duara, India International Centre Quarterly, Vol. 36, No. 3/4, INDIACHINA Neighbours Strangers (WINTER 2009 SPRING 2010), pp. 20-33.</ref> in contrast to Confucianism and include non-legal [[Shen Buhai|Shen Pu-hai]] derived political technique, which charges the ruler engage in [[Wu wei|passive observation]] to determine facts rather than take on too much himself. [[Sinology|Sinologist]] [[Herrlee G. Creel]] writes: "If one wishes to exaggerate, it would no doubt be possible to translate (foundational Realist) Shen Buhai's term Shu, or [[Scientific technique|technique]], as '[[Scientific method|science]]', and argue that Pu-hai was the first political scientist," though Creel does "not care to go this far".<ref name="Creel"/>

During the Spring and Autumn period,<ref name="Origins of Statecraft in China"/> the prevalent philosophy had dictated war as a gentleman's activity; military commanders were instructed to respect what they perceived to be Heaven's laws in battle.<ref name="morton26">Morton 1995, p. 26</ref> For example, when [[Duke Xiang of Song]]<ref group="note">Not to be confused with any Duke of the [[Song dynasty]] of a later period.</ref> was at war with the state of Chu during the Warring States period, he declined an opportunity to attack the enemy force (commanded by Zhu) while they were crossing a river.