Su Li

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This book challenges the Western-centric view of constitutions as static written documents, offering a groundbreaking exploration of China’s unique constitutional legacy forged over millennia. Instead of focusing on legal texts, it frames China’s constitution as a dynamic, evolving system of institutional integration centered on three interconnected layers: *Qijia* (village governance), *Zhiguo* (state administration), and *Pingtianxia* (multi-ethnic empire management). Drawing on historical practices—from primogeniture and the county system to the imperial examination and the Great Wall’s strategic role—it unpacks how these institutions emerged to address existential challenges like river floods, nomadic threats, and resource scarcity. Contrasting with social contract theory, it argues China’s constitution is rooted in functional pragmatism, designed to sustain a vast, multi-civilizational community. By bridging historical analysis and contemporary relevance, the book not only illuminates China’s governance logic but also invites a rethinking of constitutional studies globally, emphasizing that effective constitutions must adapt to a nation’s unique context.