Meritocracy Reimagined: Ideational Foundations of State-Building in Imperial China

Peng Peng

Journal of Historical Political Economy, 2025, vol. 4, issue 4, 439-469

Abstract: Imperial China's bureaucracy is often seen as a meritocracy, shaping views on state development. This paper challenges that idea, arguing the meritocratic model is too simplistic. I define meritocracy as formal exams, assessments of administrative and technical skills, and equal competition for office. Using a dataset on Qing prefectural governments and a text analysis of Confucian classics, I show that power came through multiple paths, exams focused on literary and ethical teachings, and office access was uneven across regions. Despite this, the Civil Service Exams projected ideational power by promoting loyalty and a shared elite worldview, shaping cultural identity. This study deepens our understanding of meritocracy and state formation.

Date: 2025
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