In an article titled “Han Dynasty: Economic Rise and Fall and National Security Lessons” published yesterday on WeChat, China’s Ministry of State Security drew parallels with the Han Dynasty’s history – from its peak to eventual downfall. The article emphasizes that excessive military campaigns drained the economy, noting that “the decline of the Han Dynasty began with Emperor Wu,” and stresses that focusing on economic development is essential for national prosperity.
The article points out that in the early days of the Han Dynasty, rulers learned from the downfall of the Second Emperor of Qin by implementing policies favorable to production development across political, economic, and livelihood sectors. These measures stimulated farmers’ enthusiasm for production, establishing a crucial material foundation for the early Han’s dominance. Key initiatives included partially delegating power to the people to allow them to independently restore social vitality; prioritizing agriculture to revive the economy while cracking down on officials who misused labor resources; reducing taxes and labor obligations to nurture the people’s strength; and cutting fiscal expenditures.
However, during Emperor Wu’s reign, years of large-scale warfare resulted in enormous military expenses and massive fiscal spending, depleting the wealth accumulated during the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing. The article cites historians who believe that “the decline of the Han Dynasty began with Emperor Wu.” Instead of focusing on economic recovery and healthy social development, Emperor Wu implemented high taxation policies on private handicraft industries, severely damaging commerce and manufacturing. This caused immense suffering among the people and significantly eroded the economic foundation. The labor force was also greatly reduced due to killings, further leading to the Han Dynasty’s economic decline.
The article concludes by stating that economic security forms the foundation of national security, and that focusing on economic development is key to national prosperity. Only by promoting sustained and healthy economic development can a solid material foundation be built for national prosperity, people’s happiness and well-being, and social harmony and stability.