科举制度之废除及其后果——兼析科举制度的合理内核

The Abolishment of the Imperical Examination System and Its Results

明清以来,由于科举制度逐渐僵化腐朽而一直遭到抨击、指斥,至清末新政时终于被废止了。然而,科举废除后却给晚清社会和清政府的统治带来了严重后果。有鉴于此,朝野内外不断有人提议恢复科举,连一度坚决主张废除科举的梁启超也公然发表这种看法。为何会出现这种局面呢?本文认为科举制度其实不仅仅是一种文官考试制度,实际上它又是一种社会整合机制,对中国古代社会的上下沟通、互动起着非常重要的作用。因而它具有一定的合理性,一旦新的替代体制尚未确立,就贸然弃用它,势必产生一连串问题。如今科举制度早已退出了历史舞台,但以考试选才这种方式仍为世界各国所沿用。

The imperial examination system had been attacked from Ming and Qing Dynasty because of its becoming rigid, and it was abolished in late Qing Dynasty. But its abolishing worsened the rule of Qing Dynasty; many people including LIANG Qi-chao who had ever stood for abolishing the imperial examination system suggested that it should be resumed. Why did this situation emerge? This paper indicates that the imperial examination system was not only an examination system, but also a ruling social regime that was very important to ancient China's communication. It had a certain degree of rationality, so abolishing it suddenly might lead to serious consequence. The imperial examination system is abolished now, but examination system is still used by every country in the world.