ThePoliticsofHigherEducation:TheImperialUniversityinNorthernSongChinausesthehistoryoftheImperialUniversityoftheNorthernSongtoshowthelimitsoftheSongemperors’powers.Atthetime,theuniversityplayedanincreasinglydominantroleinselectinggovernmentofficials.ThisrolesomehowcurtailedtheauthorityoftheSongemperors,whodidnotpossessabsolutepowerand,moreoftenthannot,foundtheiractionstobeconstrainedbytheinstitution.Thenominationmechanismleftroomforpoliticalmaneuveringandstakeholders―fromemperorstoscholar-officials―triedtoinfluencetheprocess.Hence,powerstrugglesamongsuccessiveemperorstryingtoasserttheirimperialauthorityensued.Demandsforgreaterautonomybyofficialswere,forexample,unceasing.ChuMing-kinshowsthattheroadtoautocracywasanythingbutlinear.Infact,duringtheNorthernSongdynasty,competitionandcompromisesoverdiverseagendasconstantlyalteredthepoliticallandscape.
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION POWERS CHINA SONG
