Social Classes of Ancient China
(VEA, 2016)
The Ancient Chinese Social Pyramid
There are 6 main levels of the social pyramid that was part of life in ancient China and with each level were you of more importance. The social pyramid had quite a contrast in respect depending on what level you were and that may be different sometimes for example, the nobles are the emperor's extended family and people who did well in what their occupation.
Who are the nobles?
This class known as nobles were different to some other classes as it was a very unstable class of people who depended on the emperor. Though the nobles are seen to be a very well off social class, who was a noble was purely dependent on the emperor and who he favoured. It was common that with a new emperor, so would new nobles. Nobles would be quite wealthy due to their connection to the emperor and would be landowners and would have large homes. The nobles also gave money to the emperor and in return they were given protection. These people were also allowed to be let off easier for bad deeds due to their relationship with the emperor such as, if they were to omit a crime, instead of being sentenced to death, they would be allowed to kill themselves which back then was considered a more honourable death. (12)
Why would a social pyramid not work in Australia?
In Australia a social pyramid would not work due to the laws of equality and the act of Federation within our country which means we are equal and therefore there is no difference in importance. In Australia a class system would also not work as classes such as slaves are not permitted and is considered illegal. There is also in Australia there is not exactly a 'who's above who' system as we have as we have: The general public, Government officials (politicians), CEOs, Prime Minister and others. In Ancient China, the classes were ranked on the importance to both the economy and the community which is why classes such as merchants where so low as they only benefitted themselves, when this is compared to Australia, we have CEOs, Entrepreneurs and with that Philanthropists, these people can have just as much impact on the outside world than people such as politicians, so therefore a class structure would absolutely not work.
There are 6 main levels of the social pyramid that was part of life in ancient China and with each level were you of more importance. The social pyramid had quite a contrast in respect depending on what level you were and that may be different sometimes for example, the nobles are the emperor's extended family and people who did well in what their occupation.
Who are the nobles?
This class known as nobles were different to some other classes as it was a very unstable class of people who depended on the emperor. Though the nobles are seen to be a very well off social class, who was a noble was purely dependent on the emperor and who he favoured. It was common that with a new emperor, so would new nobles. Nobles would be quite wealthy due to their connection to the emperor and would be landowners and would have large homes. The nobles also gave money to the emperor and in return they were given protection. These people were also allowed to be let off easier for bad deeds due to their relationship with the emperor such as, if they were to omit a crime, instead of being sentenced to death, they would be allowed to kill themselves which back then was considered a more honourable death. (12)
Why would a social pyramid not work in Australia?
In Australia a social pyramid would not work due to the laws of equality and the act of Federation within our country which means we are equal and therefore there is no difference in importance. In Australia a class system would also not work as classes such as slaves are not permitted and is considered illegal. There is also in Australia there is not exactly a 'who's above who' system as we have as we have: The general public, Government officials (politicians), CEOs, Prime Minister and others. In Ancient China, the classes were ranked on the importance to both the economy and the community which is why classes such as merchants where so low as they only benefitted themselves, when this is compared to Australia, we have CEOs, Entrepreneurs and with that Philanthropists, these people can have just as much impact on the outside world than people such as politicians, so therefore a class structure would absolutely not work.