Qin Aristocracy Theory

Aristocracy is a special class in Zhou's system of patriarchy and enfeoffment. Generally speaking, it refers to the hereditary bureaucracy families. It first appeared in the West-Zhou period and reached the height of power and splendour early in the Spring and Autumn period. By the end of this period, Aristocracy had declined with the collapse of the backbone of patriarchy system, i.e. the rites and music. As one of the most powerful classes in the bureaucratic establishments, however, the aristocracy played a tremendous role in politics, economics and culture and constitution of the aftertime social system.In the pre-Qin classics Zuo Zhuan and Guo Yu, an detailed record was kept as to the aristocracy class. Ever since Han dynasty, alternative records were only in bits and pieces in other classics of the Spring and Autumn period. Until Qin dynasty with the development of textual research, more books were dedicated to the textual research of the lineage of that time. There is a need to research the influential family in politics namely the aristocracy. As a result, monograph about this topic came out. However, dispute occurred especially in whether and how many there is aristocracy class in the Qin principality. Opinions vary greatly.In this paper, therefore, the dispute about the concept of aristocracy was solved firstly, in order to reach a reasonable definition. Based on it, the aristocracy circumstance in Qin was analysed. By comparison of the cotemporary constitution system of the eastern principalitys, the impossibility of the aristocracy's existence and the limitation of its development in Qin were theoretically deduced. More literature was taken evidence. Reasons for the special politics without aristocracy in Qin were insightfully uncovered by the cultural differences between Zhou and Qin dynasty revealed in the archeology information.The whole thesis is in four chapters.Firstly, a summary was made as to the research of aristocracy. The dispute and question of the previous study was analysed in the aspects of definition, quantity and quality, to lead to an explicit defining.Secondly, research on the aristocracy in Qin principality was summarized and the dispute is put forward. Base on the defining in the first chapter, the whole bureaucratic classes including royalty bureaucracy and surname bureaucracy other from the Lord were compared between Qin principality and the eastern principalitys in the contemporary of Spring and Autumn period. It was then concluded that there is no aristocracy in Qin in the period of Spring and Autumn. Not until the Warring States period hadn't Qin had an extensive contact with the other principalitys in center China. But at this time, the rites and music system had totally been ruined. Without this condition, aristocracy in the other principalitys had declined. This background determined that it was impossible for aristocracy to come into being in Qin.Thirdly, the reason for nonexistence of aristocracy in Qin was analysed by view of culture. Historically, Qin hadn't been taken not as a seigneur but as a vassal in the faraway west. Geographical conditions cut down the contact between Qin and center China, with its culture far less advanced than others'. Archeology information was taken proof here. The disadvantage in culture also led to the inability in the patriarchy system, which in all confined the aristocracy from being.Lastly, the overall discussion was concluded that patriarchy system strengthened the regime and provided a stable politic environment for development early in the Zhou dynasty. But later the consequent aristocracy class became a resistance to the new development of the principalitys. Qin is far away from the Zhou culture, so it is under development at the early stage. Meanwhile it was free from the resistance by the aristocracy class and so it could develop at a faster pace to lead the principalitys.The whole thesis sets forth such a logic system as Qin's special culture from its special geographical features protected itself from forming the patriarchy system; morbidity of patriarchy system confined the being of aristocracy class, and the inability of aristocracy class lightened the resistance to forge a powerful principality.