The Idea of Feudalism in China, and its applicability to Song Society

Abstract

An   attempt to analyze the applicability of the idea of "feudalism" to   China is perhaps best begun with a look at its use by historians from the   People's Republic. It is there, after all, that the term has by far its   widest currency. Yet it must be said that the bulk of this body of historical   writing is of little use in attaining clarity about the concept. A set,   orthodox scheme of historical progression -. whether one calls it Stalinist   or Maoist -has been required of Chinese historians since 1949. Primitive,   slave and feudal society are universal stages of development for all human   societies. The direction of development d all feudal societies (including   China's) is towards capitalism (Mao's emphasis on this helped to generate the   1950's literature on "the sprouts of capitalism" to be found in   Ming and Qing China). Late nineteenth and early twentieth century China was   "semi-feudal and semi-colonial". Within such a framework many   specific points of detail or particular episodes might be investigated, often   in surprisingly traditional terms. The evidence might be gone through for   progressive technical and social developments, often in a highly nationalist   spirit. But it is not surprising that in more general discussion of the   history of society, much of what was written in the first decade or so of the   regime is in fact scholastic debate over the timing of turning points.