Final answer:
The Yuan dynasty differed from the Song by implementing an ethnically stratified society, curtailing the civil service examination system, and emphasizing foreign administration. Whereas the Song dynasty adhered to Confucian principles, valued scholarly learning, and had a merit-based bureaucracy along with economic and cultural developments.
Step-by-step explanation:
To what degree did the Yuan dynasty government and policy differ from the administration of the Song dynasty? The Yuan dynasty differed significantly in its administration and policies compared to the Song dynasty. The Yuan, established by the Mongols, broke with the traditional Confucian class system and introduced a new social structure that placed the Mongols and other non-Chinese groups at the top, followed by the northern Han Chinese and the southern Song Chinese at the bottom. Instead of embracing the merit-based bureaucracy of the Song, the Yuan dynasty curtailed the traditional civil service examination system. They moved towards an administration that relied heavily on foreigners for top governmental posts, a stark contrast to the Song's use of a merit-based system of scholarly officials. Furthermore, the Yuan dynasty had separate administrative systems for their varied subjects, and military appointments were also highly influenced by individual's ethnicity and allegiance to the Mongols.
The Song dynasty, on the other hand, was characterized by a strong adherence to Confucian principles and a bureaucratic system that valued scholarly learning and the civil service examinations. The Song focused on economic development, cultural achievements, and had an administrative system that was largely based on the merit of officials rather than ethnicity. Additionally, the Song experienced significant economic and population growth and made advances in the arts and sciences.
Overall, the Yuan dynasty marked a departure from the traditional Chinese governance models, embracing a more ethnically stratified society with a feudal system. The Yuan dynasty's approach to administration was characterized by a mix of Mongol and Chinese policies, a strong emphasis on trade and military might, and policies that sometimes improved the lives of the people despite the rigid social hierarchy. In contrast, the Song dynasty prioritized scholarly pursuits, economic and cultural development, and a bureaucracy based on merit.