Hahaha. I totally see and agree with what you're saying. The idea of the Confucian meritocracy was a good idea, but it didn't translate into RL as well, simply because most of the peasantry didn't have the leisure time to do something such as study. Yes the nobility would still take those positions, because they were better fed and better read. But supposedly someone who wasn't nobility [usually merchant class] could still get ahead based on this system.
and yes I'm a political science major, with a focus on social movements and public policy. Especially if it's plastered with pink and rainbows [gay rights and women's rights activism]. Feel free to love me now.
Oh! And I am American... I'm just also a child of immigrants [Taiwanese] who were the children of refugees [Grandparents from China], who were descended from nobility. After the revolution, my grandparents arrived in Taiwan with nothing. With help from the gov to get food and shelter, they worked hard adn eventually would start up the largest lightbulb factory in taiwan [at the time]. So I've got "nobility", completely abject poverty, and "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" in my blood in just 4 generations. I am also a TCK [Third Culture Kid], my family has and still is stationed in Shanghai China, where I went to an international school. It gives me a different perspective on this kind of stuff.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2011-07-23 03:31 am (UTC)and yes I'm a political science major, with a focus on social movements and public policy. Especially if it's plastered with pink and rainbows [gay rights and women's rights activism]. Feel free to love me now.
Oh! And I am American... I'm just also a child of immigrants [Taiwanese] who were the children of refugees [Grandparents from China], who were descended from nobility. After the revolution, my grandparents arrived in Taiwan with nothing. With help from the gov to get food and shelter, they worked hard adn eventually would start up the largest lightbulb factory in taiwan [at the time]. So I've got "nobility", completely abject poverty, and "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" in my blood in just 4 generations. I am also a TCK [Third Culture Kid], my family has and still is stationed in Shanghai China, where I went to an international school. It gives me a different perspective on this kind of stuff.