Late Qing Dynasty Official Election Reform

Officer-selecting system was an important part of the centralized system of ancient China. It is also known as shijin system. The officer-selecting system originated in Pre-Qin, developed from the Sui and Tang Dynasty. In Ming and Qing Dynasty it was already mature. The appearance of Keju system presents the developed political civilization at that time and its exquisite designing system, as well. However, it loses its original vitality because of western countries’invasion, the end of Opium war, the disintegration of Chinese self-sufficient feudal economy, the corrupt politicians, and the appearance of western advanced values and lifestyles. Qing government has to reform the officer-selecting system under the pressure of domestic trouble and foreign invasion. Keju system abolished, and new system was improved. It is selecting government officials from students in schools. Those sorts of things offered convenience for meeting urgent need of talents selecting for Qing government. But the reformation of late Qing Dynasty had not been fulfilled completely. Old systems remain. It made the relative of the official be reused, which strengthens the concentration of power of emperor through the whole reform. What makes the selecting system destroys political system of late Qing dynasty is the combination of new concept and old corruptions, lack of responsibility and eager for fortune and quick success. Besides that, the disadvantages of the feudal system lead to the failure of the reform. And eventually it absolutely fails.We should not only see the whole aspect of its advanced process throughout history, but also dig out the backward part of the reform when we review the officer-selecting system of the Late Qing Dynasty. Through carefully studying the positive elements and discipline of the Late Qing Dynasty officer-selecting system reform, it provides reference for modern system of elected officials, thus to make the institutional reform of civil servants and cadre and personnel system in successful control.