Scholar-official

Scholar-officials, also known as literati, scholar-gentlemen or scholar-bureaucrats, were civil servants appointed by the emperor of China to perform day-to-day governance from the Han dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty in 1912, China's last imperial dynasty. These officials, in the main, were members of the gentry.

History

The scholar-officials were schooled in calligraphy and Confucian texts. They dominated the government and local life of China until the early 20th century. The civil service examinations were designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of scholar-bureaucrats, regardless of their family pedigree.

Examination System

The Imperial examination system sought to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. It was this examination system that led to a society of scholar-bureaucrats built on merit, which was much more competitive than aristocratic systems based on family connections and political influence.

Role and Influence

Scholar-officials were responsible for interpreting and implementing government policy. They were also responsible for conducting examinations for civil service candidates in their local areas. Their influence extended beyond the formal duties of their office and often played a key role in local society, the economy, and the world of culture and ideas.

See Also

• Imperial examination
• Confucianism
• Qing Dynasty
• Han Dynasty