An Introduction to China’s ›Xiangyue‹ System

Kaidao Yang, Dong Qiong, Wang Zhen, Liam Duffy

• Publisher: De Gruyter Oldenbourg
• Edition: 1
• Year: 2026
• Topic: History
• Print ISBN:
  9783119142267
• Subtopic: Social History
• eBook ISBN:
  9783112223451
• Index: History

An Introduction to China's Xiangyue System is a seminal work that meticulously examines the historical evolution, sociopolitical significance, and enduring legacy of China's Xiangyue system, a traditional rural self-governance institution. Originally authored by Yang Kaidao and published in the 1930s, this book has long been regarded as a cornerstone in the study of Chinese grassroots governance and communal ethics. 
Its comprehensive analysis of the Xiangyue system - a framework of moral codes, collective rituals, and community-based dispute resolution that shaped China's rural life for centuries - offers invaluable insights into China's rural society and its philosophical underpinnings. An Introduction to China's Xiangyue System occupies a unique position in Sinological studies. By tracing the Xiangyue system from its Confucian roots in the Northern Song dynasty to its adaptations under later imperial regimes, the book illuminates how these localized systems balanced state authority with communal autonomy. It delves into the interplay between ethical education, social cohesion, and governance, revealing the Xiangyue as both a moral compass and a pragmatic tool for rural stability.
The original text is celebrated not only for its archival rigor but also for its interdisciplinary approach, weaving history, sociology, and political theory into a cohesive narrative. For scholars of East Asian studies, comparative governance, or cultural anthropology, this work remains an indispensable reference.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Translator’s Preface
• Illustrations and Tables
• Chapter 1 A Historical Overview of Rural Organizations in China
• Chapter 2 The Origin of the Xiangyue System
• Chapter 3 A Textual Examination of Lyushi Xiangyue
• Chapter 4 A General Analysis of Lyushi Xiangyue
• Chapter 5 The Modifications to Lyushi Xiangyue
• Chapter 6 Development of Xiangyue in the Ming Dynasty
• Chapter 7 The Integration of the Xiangyue and Baojia Systems (I)
• Chapter 8 The Integration of the Xiangyue and Baojia Systems (II)
• Chapter 9 Maturation of Rural Governance Theory
• Chapter 10 Xiangyue Lectures in the Qing Dynasty
• Chapter 11 The Implementation of Xiangyue in the Qing Dynasty
• Transliteration of Terminology
• Transliteration of Names
• Titles of Books and Articles
• Index