The Election of Society and Its End - A Sociological Interpretation of History from the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Late Qing Dynasty

Author: He Huahong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: In this book, I tentatively propose a basic concept of an "electoral society." This concept is derived from the interpretation of the "hereditary society" concept in the Spring and Autumn period. I introduced it to explain the self-contained social structure that ultimately formed in China from the Qin and Han dynasties to the late Qing Dynasty, a "traditional China" distinct from both the "classical China" before the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods and the "modern China" of today. "The Electoral Society and Its End: A Sociological Interpretation of Chinese History from the Qin and Han to the Late Qing" is a remarkable work with a broad intellectual scope, meticulous effort, rich materials, and many original insights. Particularly noteworthy is the second part, which examines the examination essays—known as the "eight-legged essay"—at the core of the ancient Chinese imperial examination system. Through an analysis of the canonical essays from various dynasties, it reveals the form, content, nature, function, and social significance and impact of the imperial examinations, helping to correct the long-standing simplistic and biased condemnation of the system. The third part also offers many insightful and innovative discussions on the dilemmas of the electoral society and its "end."