THE PROMULGATION OF LAW IN QIN AND WESTERN HAN CHINA

• Published in: Early China Vol. 44; pp. 393 - 418
• Main Authors: Jingrong, Li, Songchang, Chen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Enforcement; Law; China; 西漢; Western Han; law; promulgation; 秦; Qin; 頒發; 法律

This article studies the promulgation of law in Qin and Western Han China (221 b.c.e.–9 c.e.) based primarily on excavated legal and administrative texts. It shows that a new law was handed down from the emperor to the relevant offices on the day of enactment. The article argues that, to an extent,...