Modern Perspectives on the Social Flow Dominant Functions of Imperial Examinations(Keju)

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-1- Modern Perspectives on the Social Flow Dominant

Functions of Imperial Examinations(Keju)∗

Feng Yongjun1

, Guo Ruihua2

1. Institute of Higher Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming China (650092)

2. Academy of Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou China (515063)

E-mail：fengyongjun_cn@126.com

Abstract

The imperial examinations which controlled the society with its special modes and

connotation-especially with “the multi-unify” dominant function-between Sui Dynasty to Qing Dynasty,

and have important, deep influence to Chinese society. Through modern Reflecting on the social flow

dominant function of imperial examinations to obtain some apocalypses and significance for modern

society and examination institution reforms, enriching the study of imperial examinations.

Keywords: imperial examinations, social flow, the study of imperial examinations, dominant function,

multi-unifying

CIP: G424.74

The mankind exists, the society produces, accompany someone with presenting various social

structure, hasten the birth of this or that society to divide into layer and flow at the same time too.

From the beginning, the mankind hasn’t found a kind of more rational method to help society

divide into layer and flow, then, the dividing into layer and flows or in a kind of unordered state of

human society, or carry on in a certain way to“follow”, ancient Chinese civilization is like this.

Didn’t produce the system of“selecting people”until the Xizhou Dynasty，arrive Han Dynasty ,

appear the “select examining system” which more ideal than the “citing and making system”，this

system keep lasting until Sui one forward, namely before A.D. 587, but, this system can not carry

out dynasty cultivate and choose hope of “human resource and responsible talents for the

country”well, then, Kaihuang seven year, namely the first month of the whole year of A.D.

587,“order every state, three tributes people every year”, the imperial examinations (Keju,

following is the same, annotate) influence history of China more than one thousand years。

The system was abrogated by the Qing government which under the strong requests of each

side by A.D. 1905. Imperial examinations(system) which existing for 1318 years at the history in

China, by its unique way to produce control, multi-dimension of degree from Sui to Qing society

intension, especially control the society flows with one's own“multi-unifying”, such unique

control function has a great and far-reaching impact on different fields of the Chinese society, this

kind of influence, not only exist in ancient times and modern China but also exist in the modern

Chinese society by way of uniqueness. With the modern perspectives, especially the visual angles

of political science and sociology come to review the social flow controlling function of imperial

examinations, it avoids to be“vulgar pester”of merits and demerits to it, analyze its control form

and content, through to take the picture to return to while being double the history and reality,

expect to be able to analyze out the function enlightenment and meaning of the contemporary

society and examination system reform of this kind of control fro, and the research of studying

want to devote a effort to enrich the study of imperial examinations.

∗

Fund Program: National Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Sciences＂System Research on

Harmonious Society Building of Yunnan and Area Equilibrium Development of Higher Education

(No.06XSH007)＂.

http://www.paper.edu.cn

-2- 1. Imperial examinations and the social flow

As one of the most complicated, disputing and appraising systems in China's history, the

imperial examinations bears the weight of Chinese's too many happiness, anger, grief and joy,

merits and demerits and twists, joys and sorrows, under different era, different culture and

different visual angles, there is different intension and define, especially after it has been given

meaning and function of politics, the definition of it should be particularly prudent. As social

control method and choose as main talents from Sui to Qing more than 1,000 years in China, it is

incomparable and substitute of its scale and influence, so, this research plans to try in terms of

extensive examination, with the political sociology research approach, to define the intension and

extension of imperial examinations. Certainly, following this thought the author will make special

definition and exploration to the imperial examinations by contacting the society under and flow.

The imperial examinations refers to from A.D. 587 till A.D. 1905, it is a will of the country of