The Logic of Failed Institutional Reform: Path Dependence in the Evolution of the Nine-Rank System and Contemporary Implications

Abstract

The recommendation system of the Eastern Han Dynasty failed due to corruption and manipulation by aristocratic families. The Cao Wei regime introduced the Nine-Rank System, aiming to achieve fairness in talent selection through centrally appointed officials, but it ultimately became a tool for powerful clans. Using the framework of path dependence theory in institutional change and historical institutional analysis, this paper reveals the logic behind the failure of institutional reform. The study finds that the Nine-Rank System, after a brief period of success, quickly fell into irreversible failure under the mechanisms of "design compromise, path dependence, and institutional lock-in." The research demonstrates that partial reforms avoiding the restructuring of core interests will eventually be co-opted by vested interest groups. Modern institutional reforms must prioritize the restructuring of core interests as a central strategy.