Characteristics of China Ancient Rural Custom System

1. Changes of the ancient rural contract system in China

(1) formulation: from independent drafting by gentry to overall planning by the government.

(2) management: from autonomy to government management

(3) Purpose: From the mutual exhortation between neighbors, "the intersection of customs and habits" to the proclamation, to restrain officials and gentry.

2. The characteristics of rural governance from Tang and Song Dynasties to Ming and Qing Dynasties

(1) From official dominance to the combination of officials and gentry (diversification of rural governance forces)

(2) gentry play a greater role.

(3) The power of the central government gradually extends to the countryside.

(4) make up for the deficiency of the national management system (maintaining social stability and collecting taxes are useful supplements for official institutions)

(5) Further development of rural laws and regulations.

(6) Grassroots governance is closely integrated with clan management.

(7) Confucian ethics (Neo-Confucianism/Psychology) is constantly infiltrating into rural governance.

(8) It is a naturally formed autonomous state.