Research On Political Functions Of Imperial Examinations

The traditional Chinese society may be viewed Imperial Examinations Society,in which the imperial examination system was central to the political structure,playing an important role in history for over a thousand years,such as having expanded the feudalism ruling foundation,consolidated China's unity,restrained the monarchy from malignant developing to violence,selected and fostered thousands of political talents for the state,and promoted the prosperity and development of Chinese culture.In a sense,the equal competition in the imperial examinations,its emphasising on education,upholding knowledge and culture,rejecting the tendency of nobility,and its optimizing the political organization,etc,are rather close to the value orientation of modern society.The imperial history shows that the imperial examination system was an outcome of centralized monarchy.Therefore,it would certainly service for the fundamental purpose of maintaining,advancing and strengthening fundamental centralization,performing its political functions,including political control,political participation,and governmental employing.These functions were mutually interacting,supporting and influencing.This thesis tries to put the imperial examination system into the specific historical background,and analyze it by using modern political theories,so as to excavate its political functions.Describing history and commenting combined,the thesis illustrates how the system was working,what political results it caused.On this basis,the thesis draws historical experiences and lessons to mirror the social reality,hoping to provide a reference for the reform and development of the modern civil servant system.