The patron of the power of the landlord class
In the vast river of history, the landlord class, a social class, is like a towering beacon, whose light is sometimes bright and dazzling, sometimes obscure and unpredictable, and has always guided us to explore the power structure and economic lifeline of feudal society and even modern society. Today, we will demystify the landlord class and explore the sources of power behind it – who are their "backers" and how their roles in different historical stages have influenced the course of society.
I. The Origin of the Landlord Class: The Transfer of Power from Slavery to Feudalism
The history of the landlord class began at the end of the slave society. In that turbulent and changing era, slave revolts and uprisings stormed the old social order. The landlord class came into being, and with their keen political sense and economic strength, they took advantage of the situation to overthrow the declining slave state and establish a feudal state with private ownership of land as the core and the relationship between lords and serfs as the characteristic. In the early days of feudal society, this new class was like the "absolute king" of the manor, holding multiple powers such as land, law, and military, and became the master of society.
2. The landlord class in the rising period of feudal society: its historical status and role
In the golden age of feudal society, the landlord class was not only the owner of land, but also the shaper of culture. The Confucian system, the ideological cornerstone deeply imprinted in Chinese history, is precisely the spiritual pillar carefully constructed by the landlord class in order to safeguard its own interests and regulate the social order. The Confucian scholars, doctors, bureaucratic landlords, and class groups, by disseminating moral principles such as benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, and faith, weaved a tight network of social control, which enabled them to gain widespread recognition and respect at the spiritual level, and further consolidated their dominance in the material world.
3. The vassal of the international bourgeoisie: the new identity of the landlord class in modern China
In modern times, with the knocking of Western powers, the closed state of Chinese feudal society was broken. At this time, the landlord class was faced with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. They formed complex and delicate relations with the imperialist forces and became agents of their interests in China. The economic dependence of the landlord class, which was used to purchase foreign industrial goods, revealed the role of the landlord class in the process of modernization, both as an extractor of local resources and as a passive participant in the international capitalist market system. The raw material sources and commodity markets they provided nourished the industrial powers of the West, but they also accelerated their own decline and transformation.
Fourth, the "backer" of the landlord class: a multi-dimensional interpretation
So, who is the "backer" of the landlord class? The answer is not singular. From a historical point of view, the feudal legal system, Confucian ethics, the dependency of the peasants, and the local armed forces together constituted the cornerstone of the landlord class's stable power. However, at a certain historical stage, especially in modern times, imperialist economic penetration and political intervention have undoubtedly become the external support for the survival and development of the landlord class. On the one hand, this kind of external intervention strengthened the privileged position of the landlord class in the country, and on the other hand, it also made it appear conservative and rigid in the face of the wave of modernization, and finally went into decline in the torrent of history.
5. The Relationship between the Landlord Class and Modern Man: Reflection and Enlightenment
Although modern society has moved away from the feudal system, the historical legacy of the landlord class still imperceptibly affects our lives. Land issues, urban-rural disparities, power structures, cultural traditions...... These social issues today are inextricably linked to the historical role of the landlord class. The study of the landlord class not only helps us to understand the past, but also inspires us to examine the present and think about how to avoid repeating the mistakes of history and build more just and harmonious social relations under the new historical conditions.
The history of the landlord class is a grand epic that integrates power games, cultural inheritance, economic changes and social struggles. Their "backers" include both traditional social structures and ideologies, as well as external power interference. Through this period of history, we can get a glimpse of the law of the rise and fall of social classes, and understand the tortuous path of historical progress. As members of a modern society, we should learn from history, actively participate in social reform and innovation, and promote a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable social future. In the echo of history, let us explore the "backers" hidden behind the landlord class, so as to illuminate our way forward.