Tang China Case Study
The Roman or Chinese Method in Governing?
Tang Dynasty of China Empire and the Byzantine Empire existed on a similar large scale in the same period. (143 HSW) The territory of Tang Dynasty China expands even larger than the previous dynasty after Taizong Tang gaining territory from the Turks. (189 HSW) Tang China Empire stretched further based on the Han Dynasty’s territory which reaches Korea in the east, Taklamakan Desert in the west, Gobi in the north and Vietnam in the south. (177 HSW) The Byzantine Empire reached Mesopotamia in the east, Visigothic Kingdom (Spain) in the west, Danube River in the North, Egypt in the South. (HSW 204) How did the governments manage and control such immense territory and large population within their frontiers?
Further, which empire is more efficient and well-handled in governing their states?
In Tang Dynasty, civilian had to pass civil written merit-based exams which contained classical Chinese readings to become an official in the government. Further, school of management and government were founded to prepare the people for political career. Besides, people had to be able to analyze practical administrative and political matters.(189 HWS ) As a result, the Tang officials were generally knowledgeable and intelligent. Tang civilians from different classes also had fairly equal chance to become an official and influenced the government policy making. This also allowed the government to be diverse and innovative, which also implied more debates which had happened in previous dynasties such as the debate on Salt and Iron monopoly between the learned man and the minister in Han Dynasty. ( ) Throughout the debate, the emperor of China was able to hear the voice from different perspectives from different class.
In addition, Tang emperors subdivided the administration into different departments, much like the numerous agencies of modern government. (189 HWS)one of Taizong Tang’s advice for his heir was that Government affairs should be departmentalized to make the best use of officials’ abilities. The emperor should use the wise for their resourcefulness, the ignorant for their strength, the brave for their daring, and the timid for their prudence. (113 Emperor Taizong on Effective Government) Hence, people’s advantage or even disadvantage could be applied in the proper way in maximizing their utility of serving the states.
Tang Dynasty of China Empire and the Byzantine Empire existed on a similar large scale in the same period. (143 HSW) The territory of Tang Dynasty China expands even larger than the previous dynasty after Taizong Tang gaining territory from the Turks. (189 HSW) Tang China Empire stretched further based on the Han Dynasty’s territory which reaches Korea in the east, Taklamakan Desert in the west, Gobi in the north and Vietnam in the south. (177 HSW) The Byzantine Empire reached Mesopotamia in the east, Visigothic Kingdom (Spain) in the west, Danube River in the North, Egypt in the South. (HSW 204) How did the governments manage and control such immense territory and large population within their frontiers?
Further, which empire is more efficient and well-handled in governing their states?
In Tang Dynasty, civilian had to pass civil written merit-based exams which contained classical Chinese readings to become an official in the government. Further, school of management and government were founded to prepare the people for political career. Besides, people had to be able to analyze practical administrative and political matters.(189 HWS ) As a result, the Tang officials were generally knowledgeable and intelligent. Tang civilians from different classes also had fairly equal chance to become an official and influenced the government policy making. This also allowed the government to be diverse and innovative, which also implied more debates which had happened in previous dynasties such as the debate on Salt and Iron monopoly between the learned man and the minister in Han Dynasty. ( ) Throughout the debate, the emperor of China was able to hear the voice from different perspectives from different class.
In addition, Tang emperors subdivided the administration into different departments, much like the numerous agencies of modern government. (189 HWS)one of Taizong Tang’s advice for his heir was that Government affairs should be departmentalized to make the best use of officials’ abilities. The emperor should use the wise for their resourcefulness, the ignorant for their strength, the brave for their daring, and the timid for their prudence. (113 Emperor Taizong on Effective Government) Hence, people’s advantage or even disadvantage could be applied in the proper way in maximizing their utility of serving the states.