耕战 (Gēngzhàn), translated as "agriculture and war," is a foundational Legalist principle emphasizing the importance of two key pillars of state power: a strong agricultural base and a capable military. Legalist thinkers argued that a state’s survival and prosperity depend on ensuring sufficient food production to sustain its population and military readiness to defend against external threats or expand territory.
Gēngzhàn is inherently utilitarian, focusing on the pragmatic needs of the state. Agriculture provides the material foundation for stability and growth, while military strength secures the state’s survival and protects its interests. Both are viewed as mutually reinforcing, as a well-fed population supports a robust military, and a strong military ensures the safety of agricultural productivity.
The concept of Gēngzhàn was championed by Shang Yang (商鞅) during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), a time when competing states needed both abundant resources and strong armies to survive. Shang Yang’s reforms in the Qin state prioritized agriculture by incentivizing farmers and penalizing idleness. Simultaneously, military service was rewarded with land and titles, creating a direct link between agricultural productivity and military capability.
The success of Gēngzhàn in Qin policies contributed to the unification of China under Qin Shi Huang. Later dynasties adapted the principle to varying degrees, balancing agricultural priorities with military needs.
In modern China, the essence of Gēngzhàn persists in the CCP’s emphasis on food security and national defense. While the context has shifted from feudal warfare to global geopolitics, the interplay between agriculture and military strength remains central to ensuring China’s stability and sovereignty.
Key Characteristics in CCP Governance:
Food Security:
Ensuring self-sufficiency in staple crops is a national priority, reducing reliance on foreign imports and safeguarding against potential disruptions.
Military Modernization:
Investments in modernizing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reflect the ongoing importance of military strength in securing national interests.
1. Qin Dynasty Reforms:
Shang Yang implemented policies that prioritized farming and military service. Farmers who increased production were rewarded, while those who shirked responsibilities faced penalties. This focus on Gēngzhàn allowed the Qin state to amass resources and military power, enabling its eventual unification of China.
2. Great Leap Forward (1958–1962):
Although ultimately a failure, the Great Leap Forward reflected an attempt to combine agricultural and industrial development, echoing the Gēngzhàn focus on agriculture as the backbone of national strength.
3. Modern Food Security Policies:
The CCP has implemented policies to protect arable land and increase domestic food production, ensuring that China can feed its population independently. For example, the "red line" policy mandates a minimum amount of arable land to maintain agricultural self-sufficiency.
4. Military-Civil Fusion:
Modern strategies combine civilian industries with military needs, such as using advancements in agriculture and technology to support defense logistics.
5. Belt and Road Initiative:
Through infrastructure investments in agriculture and trade, China strengthens its geopolitical position, aligning economic growth with global influence.
Agriculture as Strategy:
Americans may undervalue agriculture’s strategic role in national security, focusing instead on its economic or environmental dimensions. In China, food security is seen as a foundation for sovereignty.
Military-Agriculture Link:
The link between agriculture and military strength may seem outdated to Americans, but in the Chinese context, it remains relevant as both a historical principle and a modern necessity.
Central Planning:
The CCP’s active role in agricultural and military planning may be perceived as overreach in cultures that emphasize market-driven systems.
Gēngzhàn reflects China’s historical and geographic realities, where a stable agricultural base has always been critical for survival and governance. The principle underscores the importance of resource security and defense readiness in maintaining national stability. In modern China, this legacy persists in the CCP’s emphasis on food security, rural development, and military modernization, ensuring that the state remains self-reliant and prepared for global challenges.