Reflections

The Shang and Zhou Dynasty practise feudal system. It is a system whereby people were given land and limited ruling power by a ruler in return for their loyalty and support. This is not a good system because the person given the power might not be capable of ruling and might be corrupted.

The Unitary system is first used by Qin ShiHuang when he defeated all the Shi and unified China for the first time. Feudalism was abolished and a centralised government was set up. This is good because everything in the empire was standardised, the script, currency, weights and measures.

The civil service examination was set up by Han Wudi to attract people with talent to become civil servants. It is good because it promoted meritocracy. People were given positions and rewards based on their own ability.

-- Zhifang 

I felt that the government system in China back then was very strict and during some dynasties, the actions taken if law broken were considered cruel. I think that the people then must have felt pressurized and anxious everyday, living under such strict conditions. However, I believed the emperors or rulers had done that to maintain lasting peace and order in his empire. Although the kings might be enforcing strict laws for the people’s benefits, some of the emperor, for example, Qin ShiHuang, had enforced selfish laws for his own gains and benefits despite his efforts in helping China improve for the better. This had changed my view of fairness in the ancient China government.

But with rulers like Han Wudi, the people had benefited, as there were fair laws and reasonable treatments. For example, the imperial civil service examination had ensured the best “brains” instead of the best “blood”, which means common people could take the examination and if that person succeeds, he gets a chance to become an official for the government. This way, he had also built up a strong and reliable government.

Afterall, I feel that China had built a steady foundation throughout the years and had maintained it till now. It is a commendable task!

-- Jenin

I feel that feudalism was not an effective government system because the King did not directly rule his kingdom, so when the feudal shi stopped supporting him, he could not control them and this led to warring among the feudal shi.

I feel that the Unitary System was effective because the King knew what was happening in his kingdom so if his people were facing problems, he could try to resolve them and keep his people happy so they would not revolt.

-- Jolyn

I feel that China’s government during the olden days was quite unfair as the king received gifts or tribute when he did not do much to actually ‘govern’ the country. All he did was make the law and appoint people to do rule the other provinces. However, ever since the central ruling system was introduced, the king would know what goes on in all parts of his country, as all officials ruling that particular area reported directly to him. He would know the problems the area was facing, and can give the order to help the citizens, thus making the lives of the people easier. If China were to stick with the old tribute system, it would now be a place where civil wars between provinces would take place every now and then. I feel that the change in ruling system was very much beneficial to China as a whole.

-- Jessie