Final answer:
Legalism is the Chinese political system that relied on strict laws to compel people to behave.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Chinese political system that relied primarily on strict laws to compel people to behave is called Legalism. Legalism was one of the main schools of Chinese political philosophy developed during the Warring States period. It advocated for ruthless and authoritarian policies, where the law and its enforcement were believed to keep people in line and guarantee peace and order in society.