AP World History Practice Test Chapter 4

Questions refer to the passage below. “I say: Promote the worthy and the capable without waiting for them to rise through the ranks. Dismiss the unfit and incapable without waiting for even a single moment... Transform the ordinary people without waiting for government controls. If social divisions are not yet set, then take control of illuminating the proper bonds. Even the sons and grandsons of kings, dukes, gentry, and grand ministers, if they cannot submit to ritual and yi, should be assigned the status of commoners. Even the sons and grandsons of commoners, if they accumulate culture and learning, correct their person and conduct, and can submit to ritual and yi, should be assigned the status of prime minister, gentry, or grand ministers. And so, for those engaging in vile teachings, vile doctrines, vile works, and vile skills, and for those among the common people who are rebellious and perverse, give them each an occupation and teach them, and take a while to wait for them.” Xunzi, Chinese philosopher, circa 250 B.C.E. A historian would most likely use this passage to illustrate which of the following?