试论九品中正制的发展与蜕变

On Development and Degeneration of Nine-grade Rank Justice System

九品中正制的本意是以德才衡量人物 ,别其高下 ,量才授官 ,以期做到用人公正。由于统治者的利用和门阀势力的膨胀 ,这一制度逐渐蜕变 ,清义的作用日益下降 ,品评人物渐渐为少数贵族所操纵 ,最后只重出身 ,不论德才 。

The nine-grade rank justice system in the feudal regimes in China was originally intended to judge and promote officials according to their ability and moral character. Owing to the fact that this system was utilized by the ruling class for their own benefit, it degenerated into a system controlled by a minority of aristocrats, who paid attention not to the ability and moral characters but only to family status. This system thus became the tool of the aristocrats to reinforce their privilege.