The Guosuo System of the Tang Dynasty: A Legal Mechanism for Population Mobility and Territorial Stability in Feudal Society

Abstract

This paper delves into the origins, evolution, and specific enforcement of the ancient Chinese Guosuo system during the Tang Dynasty, examining its role in regulating population movement, preserving law and order, safeguarding fiscal revenue, and maintaining national unity. The Guosuo system, functioning as an official documentation system akin to contemporary passports or visas, held significant implications for the management of population and territorial control in ancient China. By employing stringent application procedures and review mechanisms, the Guosuo system effectively curtailed population mobility, thereby ensuring the stability and order of the feudal society. Moreover, the Guosuo system exerted a profound influence on the southward shift of the Tang Dynasty's economic focus, fostering economic growth in the southern regions and upholding the trade order along the Silk Road as well as national defense security.