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15 August 2003, Volume 0 Issue 3 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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The Practice and Theory of County Administration Reform in the Late Qing Dynasty WEI Guang-Qi 2003, 0(3): 19-29.  Abstract ( )   PDF (625KB) ( )   County administration in the late Qing Dynasty was fraught with malpractices in the appointment and review of officials, the organizational structure, and financial administration. These malpractices were indicative of the lack of rationalization in pre- modern county administration. In the late Qing Dynasty, many knowledgeable observers advocated reform. In response, the Qing government adopted proposed measures during the “Xinzheng Reform” and the “Preparation for Constitution Movement”. These reforms enhanced the modernization of the Chinese county administration. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Demand for Grain and the Rise of Agriculture in Inner Mongolia in the early Qing Dynasty ZHANG Yong-Jiang 2003, 0(3): 30-42.  Abstract ( )   PDF (458KB) ( )   This essay focuses on factors that led to the origins and development of agriculture in Inner Mongolia in the early Qing dynasty as well as the relevant agriculture policies practiced by the Qing monarchs. Government support and encouragement was an essential element contributing to the rise of agriculture in Inner Mongolia. Although the Shunzhi emperor promulgated a ban on opening new land, this policy was quickly abandoned. For over 80 years, from the beginning of the Kangxi reign until the Qianlong emperor once again banned land reclamation in 1748, the government pursued a policy of developing Inner Mongolian agriculture. According to the author, it was the positive government policy that created a solid foundation for the development of agriculture in Inner Mongolia. Related Articles | Metrics

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Research on the Relationship between the Board of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department in the Late Qing Dynasty SHEN Xue-Feng 2003, 0(3): 43-52.  Abstract ( )   PDF (639KB) ( )   The Board of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department were in charge of the national and the royal finances Respectively. During the early Qing period, each had its own responsibilities though they did cooperate on some matters. But in the late Qing, following the foreign powers’ economic plundering of China, the domestic economic vicissitudes and the rapid expansion of the royal expenditure, the Board of Revenue was unable to make ends meet. This eventually led to the thorough collapse of state finance. Related Articles | Metrics

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Research on the Relationship between the State Power and the Grassroots Society in the Qing Dynasty From a “Cult Cases” Perspective of LIANG Jing-Zhi 2003, 0(3): 53-61.  Abstract ( )   PDF (380KB) ( )   The Community Surveillance System ( baojia) was the institution through which the Qing exercised control over grass roots society. It was also the main avenue through which national power penetrated into village society. However, the baojia System which was meant to be a potent tool for the government repression of cults, in fact, became the tool with which some evildoers racketeered and exploited their fellow villagers. In nature, village society was based on custom, not law. The existence of cults reflected the deep source of the opposition between the government and the people: the contradiction between the custom and the law. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Gentry and Women in Early Qing China: An Analysis of Women’s Religious Activities HE Su-Hua 2003, 0(3): 62-72.  Abstract ( )   PDF (689KB) ( )   By investigating cases of local government suppression of religious activities in the Qianlong reign, this paper illustrates the attitude of the gentry class towards religious practice, especially the scope of involvement of women. Taking the maintenance of ethical order as its premise, Neo- Confucianism influenced the policy on the religion activities. From Shunzhi to Qianlong period, many prohibitions were issued banning women activities in temples. This manifested the government’ s attitude towards folk religion, and also reflected the flourishing of folk religion and widespread participation of women. Confronting the elite norms of the gentry, women’ s activities took a variety of different forms. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Basic Contents and Framework of Ferdinand Verbiest’s Thorough Inquiry into Physics(Qiongli xue) SHANG Zhi-Cong 2003, 0(3): 73-84.  Abstract ( )   PDF (793KB) ( )   Ferdinand Verbiest’ s Thorough Inquiry into Physics was a comprehensive record of the intellectual exchange between China and the West during the late Ming and the early Qing. Unfortunately, only fragments of this work have survived. Through an analysis of the conceptual organization, editorial style, and extant remnants, this paper suggests that the book included six major topics: logic, methodology and metaphysics, mathematics, astronomy, measurements, biology and medicine, which were divided into sixty volumes (juan). Among the notable features of this work were its abandonment of the natural theology of Aristotelian philosophy and its integration with Chinese natural sciences ( gezhi), and its total reliance on deductive reasoning. The book reflects the general state of the field of studies, known in the late Ming and the early Qing as“investigating natural phenomena and their principles”. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Shanghai Polytechnic Institution and Reading Room and Its Innovation on Education HAO Bing-Jian 2003, 0(3): 85-96.  Abstract ( )   PDF (683KB) ( )   Initiated by foreigners, the Shanghai Polytechnic Institution and Reading Room was a path breaking educational organization that was jointly founded by Chinese and Westerners. From its inception it lasted for forty years. Its purpose was to encourage Chinese to study western science and technology. Chinese and foreigners from all walks of life contributed funding for the institute. Under the administration of a board of directors its curriculum included science, technology, politics, economy, current affairs, culture, and education. Science and technology were the major contents of teaching. Its adopted mode of teaching gave priority to self-study assisted by lectures. Experimentation and demonstration were also important teaching methods. Shanghai Polytechnic Institution and Reading Room played a critical role in introducing Western science and technology to the Chinese. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Rise of Chinese Intellectuals in Modern Shanghai: An Analysis of the Chinese Intellectuals Working at the London Missionary Society Press WANG Li-Qun 2003, 0(3): 97-106.  Abstract ( )   PDF (410KB) ( )   During the 1840s and 1850s, some Chinese literati including Wang Tao, Li Shanlan, Jiang Tunfu, Guan Sifu and Zhang Fuxi successively joined the London Missionary Society Press. Thus they became the first group of Chinese intellectuals to cooperate with westerners. Their translation work with the missionaries enabled them to comprehend Western learning gradually, and to undertake the historical mission to import Western learning to China. The Western technical and cultural works that they translated accelerated the diffusion of modern Western science. Their efforts had great significance for the unfolding of modern Chinese history. Related Articles | Metrics