Wang Anshi actualized his reform largely in the following ways: setting up special organs for reform, encouraging Emperor of Shenzong to make decisions by himself, redefining the function of supervisory organs and using only those officials for the reform. These measures made very negative effects on the imperialism——the most progressive of current political institutions in which the emperor cogoverned with the gentry, reducing democracy but strengthening despotism. As a result, the supervisory organs became dependency on the government and powerful ministers came into being. Even worse, his pragmatic line of choosing persons worsened the social atmosphere, political speculators having the upper hand, corruption and bribery prevailing and the government turning into the hotbed of corruption.

political institutions in the Song Dynasty; Wang Anshi's reform; supervisory organ