This book began with a review of two divergent perspectives on the general character of the Song state: (1) that the Song was an unmatched era of benevolent governance and (2) that it was merely another exploitative, autocratic dynasty, like many others in the region’s long history. I have argued that whereas – obviously – neither perspective is fully accurate, neither is yet totally wrong. My previous book,The Making of Song Dynasty History, identified the genesis of both perspectives in elements of the historiography that grew from Song governance itself. Structures of Governance has taken a step further and attempted to reconceptualize this perceived divergence.