Is the failure of Wang Anshi's political reform a man-made disaster or a natural disaster?

Whether the failure of Wang Anshi's political reform is a man-made disaster or a natural disaster depends mainly on these factors.

The first factor, because it violates the core interests of the ruling interest groups, will inevitably be blocked. Song Shenzong's support alone is not enough; his strength is too weak. In addition, no supporters continue to support the political reform after Song Shenzong, so it will eventually lead to failure.

The second factor, any reform or political reform, to succeed, must be supported by the supreme ruler. Otherwise, all efforts are a joke to those at the top of the ruling chain. Wang Anshi did get the support of Song Shenzong at the beginning of the political reform, but it depends on the courage of a leader at this time. If you can stand up to the pressure, it may not be good for the country and the people, but when you can't stand the pressure from all sides and have insufficient determination, you are doomed to failure.

The third factor is that there are problems with the reform concept and design. No matter how to justify it, the reform of "competing for profits with the people" will inevitably lead to the problem of resource exhaustion and taking advantage of it. There are many deviations in the implementation, but they cannot be corrected and improved according to the actual situation. There are many problems, but each goes his own way. The result is "competing for profits with the people" and wasting people's money.

The fourth factor is that the reform has gradually changed from the initial ideological dispute between reformists and conservatives to factional struggle, slandering each other and not listening to the voice of the opposition and useful suggestions. He was his protege when he was in power. Some people with bad character also took the opportunity to take the lead in the name of praising and supporting reform, suppressing dissidents and achieving personal goals. In the Song Dynasty after Wang Anshi's political reform, reformists and conservatives took turns to be in power, and no matter which faction was in power, they tried their best to eliminate dissidents and crack down on differences. This undoubtedly consumed administrative resources and made the Song Dynasty go downhill. Some people may not know that Cai Jing, a traitor recognized in history, was promoted step by step by supporting and praising the reform when the reformists came to power. After he came to power, he cracked down on conservatives and eliminated dissidents, and finally monopolized state affairs.