The Multi-state System of Ancient China

The Multi-state System of Ancient China PDF Author: Richard Louis Walker
Publisher: Greenwood
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description

The Multi-state System of Ancient China

The Multi-state System of Ancient China PDF Author: Richard Louis Walker
Publisher: Greenwood
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description


War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe

War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe PDF Author: Victoria Tin-bor Hui
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781139443562
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
The Eurocentric conventional wisdom holds that the West is unique in having a multi-state system in international relations and liberal democracy in state-society relations. At the same time, the Sinocentric perspective believes that China is destined to have authoritarian rule under a unified empire. In fact, China in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (656–221 BC) was once a system of sovereign territorial states similar to Europe in the early modern period. Both cases witnessed the prevalence of war, formation of alliances, development of the centralized bureaucracy, emergence of citizenship rights, and expansion of international trade. This book, first published in 2005, examines why China and Europe shared similar processes but experienced opposite outcomes. This historical comparison of China and Europe challenges the presumption that Europe was destined to enjoy checks and balances while China was preordained to suffer under a coercive universal status.

Writing and the Ancient State

Writing and the Ancient State PDF Author: Haicheng Wang
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107028124
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 435

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Book Description
Writing and the Ancient State is a comparative study of the use of writing to create and maintain order in early states.

Introduction to International and Global Studies, Third Edition

Introduction to International and Global Studies, Third Edition PDF Author: Shawn C. Smallman
Publisher: UNC Press Books
ISBN: 1469660008
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 377

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Book Description
Shawn C. Smallman and Kimberley Brown's popular introductory textbook for undergraduates in international and global studies is now released in a substantially revised and updated third edition. Encompassing the latest scholarship in what has become a markedly interdisciplinary endeavor and an increasingly chosen undergraduate major, the book introduces key concepts, themes, and issues and then examines each in lively chapters on essential topics, including the history of globalization; economic, political, and cultural globalization; security, energy, and development; health; agriculture and food; and the environment. Within these topics the authors explore such diverse and pressing subjects as commodity chains, labor (including present-day slavery), pandemics, human rights, and multinational corporations and the connections among them. This textbook, used successfully in both traditional and online courses, provides the newest and most crucial information needed for understanding our rapidly changing world. New to this edition: *Close to 50% new material *New illustrations, maps, and tables *New and expanded emphases on political and economic globalization and populism; health; climate change, and development *Extensively revised exercises and activities *New resume-writing exercise in careers chapter *Thoroughly revised online teacher's manual

The Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781717540553
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 86

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Book Description
*Includes pictures *Includes ancient accounts *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading Even before the first Chinese dynasty, complex societies inhabiting the area now known as China organized into settlements, and the most important settlements were protected by rammed earth walls. The first dynasty, the Shang (1600-1050 BCE), built large walls as early as around 1,550 BCE. Differing from later walls, which were built along a strategic defense line, these walls were built to enclose the settlements and areas. The Shang would eventually be conquered from the west by the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), which developed a complex system of government. In fact, it was the Zhou system's decline that Confucius (551-479 BCE) witnessed and drew from greatly for his political philosophy. The Zhou also created walled cities, and it was at this time that the first major conflicts with northern tribesman, the Xianyun, were recorded As the newly independent states vied for supremacy in a state of constant warfare, northern barbarians were also a constant menace. Eventually, the Chinese succeeded in eliminating many of those on their immediate northern border, but it was a bittersweet victory because it meant there was no longer a buffer between China and the even fiercer Mongols further north. This new proximity led to increased cultural exchange, as well as the Chinese adoption of nomadic fighting techniques. Ultimately, it was the wall of the state of Qi that was the first to earn the name great (literally: long) wall, because the state of Qin proved most adept at the new warfare and conquered all the others. It was this dynasty that unified the kingdoms under the name of China, but put simply, the Qin were a war machine. They defeated the Mongols north of the border and expanded their control there, while also fighting expansionary wars in all directions. The first Qin emperor died 11 years into his reign and was buried with the famous Terracotta warriors: These soldiers and equipment, all carved out of stone and other materials, formed an imperial army that would accompany the emperor into the afterlife. After the emperor's death, rebellion and strife took hold of the empire, and soon a new dynasty, the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), was founded. The previous emperor, Meng Tian, was forced to commit suicide, and the Han dynasty became known for maintaining a long period of wealth and prosperity during which Confucianism and other major intellectual trends in China flowered. However, they had trouble with the nomads in the north too, and after suffering decisive military defeats, the Han decided that only through a policy of peace and reconciliation could they manage relations with the Xiongnu. They offered material goods and marriages, and the border was secured, but walls were also still obviously necessary. Ultimately, the massive investment in military expansion and conquest reaped great rewards for the Han, but all came at a very dear cost to the empire. As a result of their growing militarism, the trend of using diplomacy slowly fell out of favor around the start of the 1st century CE, but even when the old structure of peace and diplomacy with the northerners was reinstated, the Xiongnu were asked to submit to a nominally inferior position in their relationship with China. It appeared to be a compromise that would benefit both sides, but soon afterward, a Han regent usurped power and the kingdom fell into civil war. The dynasty recovered at the time, but never fully, and it continued on the path of steady decline. The Han Dynasty: The History and Legacy of Ancient China's Most Influential Empire examines how the Han dynasty took control of China and the impact of their reign over several centuries.

Brief History of the Official System in China

Brief History of the Official System in China PDF Author: Xie Baocheng
Publisher: Paths International Ltd
ISBN: 1844641538
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
A detailed academic examination into ancient China's numerous systems of bureaucracy, administration and governance. China has a rich history of administrative systems with each major dynasty developing their own civil and state mechanisms, together with the officials needed to staff the system. This fascinating book reveals all. Author Xie Baocheng breaks the authoritative coverage down into eight distinct sections: Introducing the Official System in Ancient China; Pre-Qin Royal Power and Post-Qin Imperial Power; The Central Decision-making System; The Central Government System; Territorial Administration; The Surveillance System; The Military System; Personnel Administration. This major new work, which is being made available outside of China for the very first time, will appeal to people studying ancient China. Published in association with Social Sciences Academic Press (China).

War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe

War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe PDF Author: Victoria Tin-bor Hui
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780511191213
Category : China
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Book Description
The Eurocentric conventional wisdom holds that the West is unique in having a multi-state system in international relations and liberal democracy in state-society relations. At the same time, the Sinocentric perspective believes that China is destined to have authoritarian rule under a unified empire. In fact, China in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (656-221 BC) was once a system of sovereign territorial states similar to Europe in the early modern period. Both cases witnessed the prevalence of war, formation of alliances, development of the centralized bureaucracy, emergence of citizenship rights, and expansion of international trade. This book examines why China and Europe shared similar processes but experienced opposite outcomes. This historical comparison of China and Europe challenges the presumption that Europe was destined to enjoy checks and balances while China was preordained to suffer under a coercive universal status.

The Origins of the State and the Formation of Monarchy in Ancient China Part II

The Origins of the State and the Formation of Monarchy in Ancient China Part II PDF Author: Zhenzhong Wang
Publisher: Paths International Limited
ISBN: 9781844646845
Category : China
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
China has a history of more than 5,000 years of civilization, but when, where, and what kind of process did the splendid Chinese civilization come into being? Many predecessors in academia and masters of Chinese studies have discussed this issue. The author of this book adopts a multi-disciplinary research method, extensively uses the theories of archaeology, history, and anthropology, systematically sorts out and analyzes archaeological discoveries, and analyzes various ancient histories handed down from ancient times. The legend tried to do an integrated interpretation, put forward a series of innovative theoretical viewpoints, and constructed a brand-new ancient history research system. The topic is an interested issue for scholars and experts to discover the development of Chinese civilization. The materials, including data, illustrations, are the newest ones, they can help readers and researchers to better understand and research ancient China.

The Imperial Network in Ancient China

The Imperial Network in Ancient China PDF Author: Maxim Korolkov
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000474836
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
This book examines the emergence of imperial state in East Asia during the period ca. 400 BCE–200 CE as a network-based process, showing how the geography of early interregional contacts south of the Yangzi River informed the directions of Sinitic state expansion. Drawing from an extensive collection of sources including transmitted textual records, archaeological evidence, excavated legal manuscripts, and archival documents from Liye, this book demonstrates the breadth of human and material resources available to the empire builders of an early imperial network throughout southern East Asia – from institutions and infrastructures, to the relationships that facilitated circulation. This network is shown to have been essential to the consolidation of Sinitic imperial rule in the sub-tropical zone south of the Yangzi against formidable environmental, epidemiological, and logistical odds. This is also the first study to explore how the interplay between an imperial network and alternative frameworks of long-distance interaction in ancient East Asia shaped the political-economic trajectory of the Sinitic world and its involvement in Eurasian globalization. Contributing to debates around imperial state formation, the applicability of world-system models and the comparative study of empires, The Imperial Network in Ancient China will be of significant interest to students and scholars of East Asian studies, archaeology and history.

Ancient Chinese Government and Geography

Ancient Chinese Government and Geography PDF Author: Avery Elizabeth Hurt
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
ISBN: 1477788905
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description
China is a massive country, but its surrounding mountains, two seas, and hazardous deserts kept it fairly secluded. In fact, early Chinese referred to it the Middle Kingdom, or the center of the world. China's major geographical features shaped so many aspects of life in ancient China, including how the various civilizations developed, their social organization, and the food they grew and raised. This illuminating resource reveals how the different ancient Chinese dynasties worked with and made the most of their harsh conditions.