A Study Of Guan Dong Magnates In Han Dynasty,Wei-Jin And Northern And Southern Dynasties

Based on available historical documents and archeological materials, also on widely absorption and consultation of achievements on this issue (both domestic and abroad), with a method which combined cases study with macro-analysis, this dissertation discusses the changes of Guan Dong magnates, the structure of Patriarchal clan, economic structure and rural society. It is to demonstrate the evolution of Guan Dong magnates in 800 years since Han Dynasty, and to reveal interrelations and interactions of Guan Dong magnates as a local group with the society, economy and culture in different historical period. The author holds the following views: Firstly, the status of Guan Dong magnates was particularly special, they were neither bureaucrats nor common people, they were quite different from the aristocratk families which have been formed ever since Eastern Han Dynasty, they were a social class under the constant mobility that between the bureaucrats and common people. Guan Dong magnates took on a different look in different periods, their evolution also varied with time. Secondly, patriarchal clan was the foundation and core of Guan Dong magnates. Guan Dong magnates were a kind of regional and social force base on one powerful family which could united the other families, therefore to maintain the stability and development of the patriarchal clan was of great significance for the very existence and development of Guan Dong magnates. Thirdly, Guan Dong magnates lacked the political privileges enjoyed by the aristocratic families, their development and expansion depended on the increase of land wealth rather than on the control of political power. Economic activities were the most important thing in their social life. Fourthly, as a local organization, Guan Dong magnates generally had little direct influence on the upper class of the Imperial Dynasty, but they had a perpetual influence on the rural society. The influence itself was both constructive and destructive. Besides, the dissertation gives some analysis and argumentation of some concrete and difficulty problems, and puts forward some new interpretations.