The study of Koryo Kynasty had been emphasized from the late fifties on, being the missing link between the ancient and modern societies of Korea.
Especially from the early societies on, the studies of the political institutions of Koryo Kynasty wa...
The study of Koryo Kynasty had been emphasized from the late fifties on, being the missing link between the ancient and modern societies of Korea.
Especially from the early societies on, the studies of the political institutions of Koryo Kynasty was highlighted by many historians. There had been many theories of the aristocracy and bureaucracy of the Koryo political institutions. The frequent polemics and discussions about the both institutions have contributed to the interpretations of the whole Korean history, too.
I hereby compile the many studies on especially the eumsuh(蔭敍) system of Koryo society to analyze the political nature of the Koryo Dynasty. On every articles, I tried to add the significance of each article, intending to envision a new direction on those studies.
This compilation is divided into seven units as follows:
1. The general overview studies of Eumjik(蔭職) system.
2. Aristocracy·Bureaucracy·Aristocratic Mandarin Society.
3. Empirical documents of Aristocracy.
4. Terminological definitions of Bureaucracy and Aristocracy.
5. Theories of non-aristocracy and the comparison of Kwago(科學) system and Mooneum(門蔭) system.
6. Rethinking the Eumsuh system.
7. New Directions: Study of Kinship.
From the above consideration of the Koryo political studies, we still have several problems and perspectives.
There have been many methodological innovation and problematic retrospection in those studies. But still we hae more to go in the study of the political nature of Koryo society. We have more to go (1) in finding out more concrete historical documents, (2) in theoretically rigorous refinements, and (3) along with the monographic articles, we have to launch out a general overview of Koryo political nature.
We have to admot that, up to now, the theory of the aristocracy is more convincing than that of bureaucracy. But according to the accumulations of the future studies, there can happen several changes in the overview. Was the Koryo society either one of the aristocracy or of the bureaucracy? Or, was it the combination of the both avove? or, is it possible at all to differentiate the concepts of bureaucracy and aristocracy even in the light of the eastern societies in general? Up to now we have much danger in concluding in either way. Let us hope that more studies will further our way in locating the nature of Koryo Eumjik system.