Wang Anshi

Wang Anshi
Chancellor of the Song dynasty
In Office1070–1074; 1075–1076
MonarchEmperor Shenzong
Born8 December 1021
Linchuan, Song
Died21 May 1086(1086-05-21) (aged 64)
Jiangning
FatherWang Yi
OccupationEconomist, philosopher, poet, politician
Wang Anshi
"Wang Anshi" in Chinese characters
Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Ānshí
Gwoyeu RomatzyhWang Anshyr
Wade–GilesWang2 An1-shih2
IPA[wǎŋ án.ʂɨ̌]
Wu
Romanizationwaon2 oe1 zaq8
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationWòhng Ōn-sehk
JyutpingWong4 On1-sek6
IPA[wɔŋ˩ ɔn˥.sɛk̚˨]
Southern Min
Tâi-lôÔng An-se̍k
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinesehüang ʔan-d͡ʒjak
Posthumous name[1]
Traditional Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWén
Wade–GilesWen
Title (Duke of Jing)[2]
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinJīngguógōng
Wade–GilesChing-kuo-kung
Art name
Traditional Chinese半山老人
Simplified Chinese半山老人
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinBànshān Lǎorén
Wade–GilesPan-shan Lao-jen
Courtesy name
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinJièfǔ
Wade–GilesChieh-fu

Wang Anshi ([wǎŋ ánʂɨ̌]; Chinese: 王安石; December 8, 1021 – May 21, 1086), courtesy name Jiefu (Chinese: 介甫), was a Chinese economist, philosopher, poet, and politician during the Song dynasty. He served as chancellor and attempted major and controversial socioeconomic reforms known as the New Policies.[3][4] These reforms constituted the core concepts of the Song-dynasty Reformists, in contrast to their rivals, the Conservatives, led by the Chancellor Sima Guang.

Wang Anshi's ideas are usually analyzed in terms of the influence the Rites of Zhou or Legalism had on him.[5] His economic reforms included increased currency circulation, breaking up of private monopolies, and early forms of government regulation and social welfare. His military reforms expanded the use of local militias, and his government reforms expanded the education system and attempted to suppress nepotism in government. Although successful for a while, he eventually fell out of favor with the emperor.

  1. ^ Hence referred to as Wáng Wéngōng
  2. ^ Hence referred to as Wang Jinggong
  3. ^ D.B. Boulger (1881). History of China. pp. 388–.
  4. ^ Man and the Universe: Japan, Siberia, China. Carmelite House. 1907. pp. 771–.
  5. ^ Ebrey, Patricia Buckley; Smith, Paul Jakov (2016-07-19). State Power in China, 900-1325. University of Washington Press. ISBN 978-0-295-99848-0.