论唐代科举制策试的匡时济俗功能

唐代士人参加科举制策试或私下模拟策试,都直言不讳地批评时弊,提出应对方案。他们的参政议政资格,只要报名科考即可自动获得。皇帝在开科诏令和策试题目中每每自谦德薄才寡,坦言施政失误,国家危难,恳请考生帮助自己。官方对于时政问题从来不规定标准答案,任随考生自主思考,自由表达。这种正视现实的勇气和征集、接受意见的诚恳态度,是唐代统治阶级自强、自信的一种体现。“上下雷同,非国家之福”,是时人共识。在这种背景下,策试才能产生一定的匡时济俗功能。然而,由统治阶级举办的策试,尽管可以揭示某些表层化的社会问题,却无力解决社会顽症;再加上残酷、复杂的政治派别斗争,策试匡时济俗功能的发挥必然受到限制。

Tang''''s Imperial Examination on Current Politics: It''''s Function of Healing Society

When bachelors in Tang Dynasty took part in the imperial examination on current politics or the mock examination, they criticized the ills of the time without hesitation, and put forward the solutions. Their qualifications for participation in political affairs and discussing the government affairs were automatically obtained if they registered for the imperial examination. When issued the order to open up the imperial examination on current politics, the emperor would always modestly say that his majesty was not adequate enough both in the morals and ability, speaking frankly his errors in administration and the state being in danger, therefore, his majesty asked the examinees to help him. Such an attitude to face the reality and to collect and accept different opinions reveals the strength and confidence of the Tang ruling class. The people's common understanding then was that " the complete identical between the high and the low is not the fortune of the state. " Under such circumstances, the society -healing function of the imperial examination on current politics could be developed. For the examination was held by the ruling class itself, it could not heal the persistent ailment of the society, though it might expose some of the surface phenomenon. Besides, the political struggle between different groups was complicated and ruthless, the function of the examination was restricted.