A study of social mobility under the Imperial Examination System in Qing Dynasty based on Bourdieur’s theories

Abstract

The Imperial Examination System was the main means of selecting officials in ancient China, and was therefore seen as the main means of upward social mobility between classes. The main objective of this study is to examine the extent of social mobility among classes in the Qing dynasty through the imperial examination, based on Bourdieu’s theory, and through indirect research methods such as comparative literature analysis, and to analyse the social and cultural outcomes of the imperial examination system, as well as its impact on the cohesion, values, and traditional norms of these classes and societies. The study concludes that despite the various reforms that the imperial examination system underwent during its existence, it failed to promote social mobility. This was due to the fact that the ruling class used the imperial examination system to consolidate their rule by strictly controlling the selection of talents and opportunities for class mobility. As a result, the imperial examination system led to institutional and social ideological rigidity.