Лекция: Ancient East
Extant sources of Ancient East (Egypt, Babylon, India, China) have kept fragmentary judgments about the structure of the state, the art of government. Then existing notions of public order proceeded from the thesis of the divine nature of power and the state.
Ancient China
Chinese political philosophy dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period, specifically with Confucius in the 6th century BC. Chinese political philosophy developed as a response to the social and political breakdown of the country characteristic of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States period. The major philosophies during the period, Confucianism, Legalism, Mohism, Agrarianism and Taoism, each had a political aspect to their philosophical schools. Philosophers such as Confucius, Mencius, and Mozi, focused on political unity and political stability as the basis of their political philosophies. Confucianism advocated a hierarchical, meritocratic government based on empathy, loyalty, and interpersonal relationships. Legalism advocated a highly authoritarian government based on draconian punishments and laws. Mohism advocated a communal, decentralized government centered on frugality and ascetism. The Agrarians advocated a peasant utopian communalism and egalitarianism. Taoism advocated a proto-anarchism. Legalism was the dominant political philosophy of the Qin Dynasty, but was replaced by State Confucianism in the Han Dynasty. Prior to China's adoption of communism, State Confucianism remained the dominant political philosophy of China up to the 20th century.
Ancient India
Indian political philosophy evolved in the ancient times, and created well organized and mature institutions of state. There was a clear distinction between (1) nation and state (2) religion and state. The Hindu states used constitutions which evolved over time and were based on (1) political and legal treatises (2) prevalent social institutions. The institutions of state were broadly divided into governance, administration, defense, law and order. Mantranga or the principal governing body consists of the King, Prime Minister, Commander in chief of army, Chief Priest of the King. Prime Minister heads the committee of ministers along with head of executive (Maha Amatya). Chanakya is a well known political philosopher regarded as among the greatest of all times. His treatise Arthashastra not only was a great ancient text but as recent as Niccolò Machiavelli. reflect his views. Chanukya in his political treatise Arthashastra of 4th Century BC makes comprehensive accounting of the science of politics for a wise ruler, policies for foreign affairs and wars, system of spy state and surveillance and economic stability of the state. However Chanakya himself quotes several authorities like Bruhaspati,Ushanas, Prachetasa Manu, Parasara, Ambi and mentions himself as a descendant of a long lineage of political philosophers with his father Chanaka being his immediate predecessor.[9] Sukra Neeti sara is another treatise of ancient Indian political philosophy which is still extant. An example of a code of law in ancient India is the Manusmṛti or Laws of Manu