davis.connections and judgement on legalism and mohism

Legalism and Mohism had completely different tactics of controlling a society. Legalists mostly focused on agriculture and preparing for war, so everyone had to be strong in order to strive in the community and not be dismembered for "wearying the people," as they called it in document D. The government was also extremely strong, powerful, and controlling too. The welfare of the of the government always came before the welfare of the state and that was most important. Literacy was discouraged and human nature was selfish. Any bad behavior would immediately be taken care of by having the person executed. Mohism contrasts this greatly. Mohism is based on universal love, avoiding maliciousness and the strong oppressing the week as said in document B. Unlike Legalism, Mohism encouraged education, which deepens ones thoughts, and thoughts defined you. 

I personally lean more towards Mohism. Not only do I think a compassionate government is more pleasant and will cause people to want to take more part in the decisions, but this way of control is what I'm used too. Our government in America today is more like Mohism in that we force a solid education and encourage self expression, which is simialar to the idea that thoughts define you. We may have violence still between two places but our overall goal is peace eventually, and the government doesn't put the well-being of the itself over the people.