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China Social Stratification
Traditional thought accepted social stratification as natural
and considered most social groups to be organized on hierarchical
principles. In the ideal Confucian scheme of social stratification,
scholars were at the highest level of society, followed by farmers,
then by artisans, with merchants and soldiers in last place.
In society at large, the highest and most prestigious positions
were those of political generalists, such as members of the
emperor's council or provincial governors. Experts, such as tax
specialists or physicians, ranked below the ruling political
generalists. Although commerce has been a major element of Chinese
life since the early imperial period, and wealthy merchants have
been major figures in Chinese cities, Confucianists disparaged
merchants. Commercial success never won respect, and wealth based
on commerce was subject to official taxes, fees, and even
confiscation. Upward mobility by merchants was achieved by
cultivating good relations with powerful officials and educating
their sons in the hope they might become officials. Although
dynasties were founded by military conquest, Confucian ideology
derogated military skill. Common soldiers occupied a low position
in society and were recruited from its lowest ranks. Chinese
civilization, however, includes a significant military tradition,
and generals and strategists usually were held in high esteem.
Most of China's population was composed of peasant farmers,
whose basic role in supporting the rulers and the rest of society
was recognized as a positive one in Confucian ideology. In
practical terms, farming was considered a hard and insecure life
and one that was best left if an opportunity was available.
In Chinese communities the factors generating prestige were
education, abstention from manual labor, wealth expended on the
arts and education, a large family with many sons, and community
service and acts of charity. Another asset was an extensive
personal network that permitted one to grant favors and make
introductions and recommendations. There was no sharp line dividing
the elite from the masses, and social mobility was possible and
common.
Data as of July 1987
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