FEDERALISM AND THE BALANCE OF POWER: CHINA'S HAN AND TANG DYNASTIES AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE

2009/02/01 by Ronald A. Edwards · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Chinese history and philosophy #Eurasian Exchange Networks #China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1468-0106.2009.00430.x

openalex publication_date 2009/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Abstract. This paper compares the institutional history of the Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), Tang Dynasty (AD 618–AD 906) and the Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 476). I document a common institutional reform in all three cases: the central government assumed power to appoint key regional officials and diffused authority across a greater number of regional officials. I argue that this served to increase coordination costs among key regional officials, making rebellion and resistance to central directives more costly. As a result, this institutional reform shifted the balance of power toward the central government, giving it more control.

Citations

• The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine
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Cited by

• Comparative studies of the Roman and Han empires [wikipedia]

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