Chinese society has been shaped by the interplay of the EAST — Exams, Autocracy, Stability, and Technology — from ancient times through the present.  In this wide-ranging talk based on his new book, Yasheng Huang will show how China’s ancient civil service examination system persisted through the centuries, upholding autocracy and stability, but hindering technological progress. Despite China's reform-era successes, Huang warns of the dangers posed by the recent political and economic reversals as conformity is once again prioritized over innovation.

This public lecture series is organized by the 21st Century China Center at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. For more information on China activities, please visit china.ucsd.edu.

If you have any questions, please contact GPS Events Coordinator Susan Zau (jszau@ucsd.edu).