Just over a thousand years ago, the Song dynasty emerged as the
most advanced civilization on earth. Within two centuries, China
was home to nearly half of all humankind. In this concise history,
we learn why the inventiveness of this era has been favorably
compared with the European Renaissance, which in many ways the Song
transformation surpassed.
With the chaotic dissolution of the Tang dynasty, the old
aristocratic families vanished. A new class of
scholar-officials--products of a meritocratic examination
system--took up the task of reshaping Chinese tradition by adapting
the precepts of Confucianism to a rapidly changing world. Through
fiscal reforms, these elites liberalized the economy, eased the tax
burden, and put paper money into circulation. Their redesigned
capitals buzzed with traders, while the education system offered
advancement to talented men of modest means. Their rationalist
approach led to inventions in printing, shipbuilding, weaving,
ceramics manufacture, mining, and agriculture. With a realist's
eye, they studied the natural world and applied their observations
in art and science. And with the souls of diplomats, they chose
peace over war with the aggressors on their borders. Yet persistent
military threats from these nomadic tribes--which the Chinese
scorned as their cultural inferiors--redefined China's
understanding of its place in the world and solidified a sense of
what it meant to be Chinese.
"The Age of Confucian Rule" is an essential introduction to
this transformative era. "A scholar should congratulate himself
that he has been born in such a time" (Zhao Ruyu, 1194).
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(3)
