Understanding the Impact of
the Tang-Sang Transition
The valuable part in
the expansion and modernization of ancient China happened in the Tang-Sang
transition. This particular period saw the transformation of Chinese society as
structures evolved and created new ways to adapt to the reality of life.
Inclusive in these are political and ideological changes as well as economic
revolution that opened up new opportunities for the Chinese. Similarly, it
opened further engagement to civil society as the citizenry took advantage of
the rapid technological and commercial growth. In seeking then to understand
the Tang-Sung transition, elements related to civil service examinations, Sang
commercial revolution and the rise of scholar officials must carefully be looked
into.
One of the most
notable differences between the Tang and Sang dynasties is the latter’s
promotion of a competitive way for people to hold power. In order to gauge the
capabilities of an individual, the civil service examinations were administered.
Contrary to the Tang dynasty where majority of the Elite in the capital
controlled the examinations, this changed during the Song dynasty (Tackett,
2010). It demonstrated a level of fairness and examinations were designed
anonymously. The end result was for an increase in the number of passers.
Equally, the geographic diversity of participants expanded allowing people from
neighboring cities to take part. The change can also be attributed to the
impact brought forward by the creation of a national school system. This meant
that locals had more access to materials and texts to prepare them for the
examinations. Such approach shifted the control of the elites and made it
possible for localized participation to occur.
Arguably, the changes
in the civil service systems also can be attributed as a catalyst for the Sang
commercial revolution. Specifically, it comes from the necessary approach
pursued by the Elite class. Since control cannot be maintained in the civil
service sector, succeeding generations tried to diversify their approaches and
sought to dwell in areas such as commerce, agriculture or ways to make money
(Tackett, 2010). Arguably, this introduced a more formalized economic structure
where expansion of businesses were introduced. This means increase and
expansion of business networks as society sought goods that would satisfy the
needs of the Chinese market. Moreover,
the Song dynasty monetized the economy allowing trade to further prosper and
encourage participation from different sectors of society. These changes remain
to be apparent on agriculture as well as luxury trade both in China and with
its neighbors.
Lastly, there is the
corresponding rise of scholar officials. This again can be attributed to the
advancement of the national schooling system. Such opportunities allowed
scholars or ‘experts’ to take part in office. Such change clearly illustrates
the shift of control from local elites whose generation held power in the Tang
dynasty to individuals who have the specific skill sets to hold positions under
the Song dynasty (Hon, 2006). Clearly, this shift influenced the manner that
power is held. From a central point where elites from the capital held the
position, it changed in the arrival of scholar officials. Specifically, the
level of expanded to the periphery and became localized to people living
outside of the city.
Overall, the Tang-Sung
transition illustrates the transformation of China. The shifts created by the
civil service examinations, commercial revolution and rise of scholar officials
influenced the expansion of economic growth and the introduction of new
political structures to address the changes in ideology as well as the manner
that power is held by the elites. Clearly, such transformation demonstrates a
critical part in China’s history as it embodies a direction from its medieval
structure to a more complex and modernized way of life.
Works Cited
Tackett, Nick. Tang and Song China: Two Models of Empire. 2010 Available from
<http://orias.berkeley.edu/summer2010/Tackett.pdf>
Hon, T. The Yijing and Chinese Politics: Classical Commentary and Literati Activism in
the Northern Song Period, 960-1127. 2006 SUNY Press; United States. Print
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