Final answer:
The Chinese state government under the Song dynastic system in the twentieth century was characterized by a debate between Sima Guang and Wang Anshi regarding the size and effectiveness of the government. Reforms were implemented to select government officials based on merit.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Chinese state government from the Song dynastic system in the twentieth century was characterized by a debate between two main figures: historian Sima Guang and classicist Wang Anshi. Sima Guang believed in small government, while Wang Anshi attempted major reforms to create a more effective and powerful government. The Song dynasty also implemented reforms to select government officials based on merit through exams on Confucian texts.