Explore The Relationship Between The Ming Dynasty Governor And The Central Government

The regional governorship developed during the Ming Dynasty is a unique political system derived from former governmental structures and developed its own characteristics. The regional governors were selected from persons on various temporary assignments and promoted to fixed position. The regional governors became a significant political power which had title derived from the Imperial Court to demonstrate their special rights to supervise any political events. In areas ruled by the regional governors, Imperial power was strengthened throughout all governmental levels. The governors organized the relationships of all social, political and economic groups to enhance the authority and control of the Imperial court.The enhanced administrative and political authority of the governors was not designed but rather evolved slowly from practical governmental problems such as quelling rebellion, readjustment of taxes to fit current circumstances and to fairly expend social services such as welfare and education. The Imperial Court and local governments both came to rely on this more highly empowered Governor. The enhanced power of the governors was balanced by observation systems and individuals not completely involved in the regional government who reported directly to the Imperial Court.The main change that allowed the power of the governors to expand was the elimination by Imperial Decree in 1380 of Prime-Ministerial positions resulting in greater efficiency and increasing the power regional governors. The elimination of the Prime-Ministerial posts physically moved the control from the capital to the regions themselves. This streamlined governmental model, enhancing the role of regional governorships was maintained through the Qing Dynasty and continues in various forms to the present.