China’s Meritocratic Examinations and the Ideal of Virtuous Talents

• Main Authors: Xiao, Hong, Li, Chenyang
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/79261; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/38783; http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/political-theory/east-asian-challenge-democracy-political-meritocracy-comparative-perspective
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Emphasis on both moral character and talent in selecting government officials has been an intrinsic part of China’s meritocratic tradition. From early on, mainstream Chinese political philosophy, particularly of the Confucian heritage, has promoted such an ideal. This quest, however, has also encoun...