Ordering the World: Approaches to State and Society in Sung Dynasty China (Studies on China)

Studies on China #16

by Robert Hymes

These essays examine the relation of society and the state or, more broadly, the place of political action in society and in the history of Sung China. Connections between intellectual change and sociopolitical change are a consistent focus; attitudes toward history and problems of authority are a recurrent concern. The authors suggest new kinds of continuity between the disparate intellectual worlds of Northern and Southern Sung China. Their findings have important implications for our understanding of the neo-Confucian movement in Sung history and of the Sung in the history of Chinese ideas about politics and social action.

Genres: China

Hardcover

First published December 20, 1993

Reviews

[Jessica Zu]

I only read the introduction and discussed it with my professor and friends in class. The main argument that Southern and Northern Song was structrually different because of the rise of localism and some sort of public sphere -- is a pretty stretched argument. The localism is just a means to get to statism, and the public sphere bears no resemblance to Habermas's concept. Nevertheless, I consider the question itself a good vehicle to draw attention to our studies of alternative government: Western model is not the only way, not to mention the best way.

[William]

The Song period was a high point in Chinese culture. And this volume is an introduction to Song politics and statecraft.