Study On The Official Examination System In Earlier Years Of North Song Dynasty

The Institute of Official Examination was founded in AD 993,the fourth year of Chunhua period when Emperor Tai-zong reigned, and abolished in AD 1082, the fifth year of Yuanfeng when Emperor held the throne. During the earlier years of North Song Dynasty, as one of the supreme institutes responsible for the administration and examination of all government officials, IOE was in charge of the evaluation, chastenment and reappointment of officials in capital. Together with Liuneishuan, the office for recommendation and evaluation of lower officials, they formed an important link of the official administration system in earlier Years of North Song. To some extent, IOE was a symbol of pre-maturity of the political system in ancient China, and a reflection of value to the intelligent recruitment of feudal ruler. This thesis tries to discuss IOE from the following aspects: the founding and abolishment of IOE, the personnel power, regulations and responsibilities of IOE, and the selection and administration of officials in IOE.The first chapter focuses on the founding reason, evolvement and abolishment of IOE. As mentioned above, IOE was founded in AD 993 and abolished in AD 1082. The historical background of IOE foundation was an aggressive attempt taken by the Second Emperor of North Song Dynasty. Aiming at eliminating chaos of official system politically beginning at the end of Tang Dynasty, he acceded and reformed this system. Thus, there existed two reasons for IOE founding: the first reason was to enforce the power of Emperor and restraint the personnel power of Prime minister, the second one was to build a well-interactive mechanism of official examination and reward & punishment. The historical evolvement of IOE system presents mainly in its changing of name and unit scale.Chapter Two discusses the personnel power, administration and related responsibility of IOE. As a department of personnel administration in central government, IOE had its main responsibility on official examination, chastenment and reappointment in capital. The range of reviewed officials was from Grade 9 to Grade 6, all of which was lower than Shaoqingjian. It had two personnel functions: examining their desert and reappointed them to new position. The process of personnel administration was pre-examination, examination and post-examination which were monitored by Emperor and Zhongshu Department.The third chapter discourses upon the selection and administration of IOE officers. Selection of the prime official was based on their experience. The candidates had to have good official moral, reputation, and long time administrative experience. There were many low-grade officials and government employee in IOE who were responsible for details. So, a system got applied to their management and recruitment in which visiting to superior was forbidden to restraining personal friendship strictly, and promotion must be achieved after examination.In conclusion part, the thesis discusses abstractly and makes a micro investigation on the role of IOE in official organization and administration in earlier Years of North Song dynasty.