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China

Shāng, c. 1600 BC – c. 1045 BC

Inner and outer areas system (內外服制)

Inner area (內服): capital region; controlled by the king; officials consist of the noble family members.

• Outer court officials (外廷官) perform public duties.
  • public duty officials:
    • Ministers (相) assist the king; the number of ministers has been increased from 1 to 3.
    • the Multiple-Governor (多尹) group makes decisions for the king; its members mainly consist of officials and chiefs and are not fixed.
    • Emissaries (史) are sent to communicate with and observe regional officials by the king.
  • clerical officials deal with affairs in agriculture, livestock husbandry, handicrafts, etc.
• Inner court officials (内廷官) handle the king's private affairs.

Outer area (外服): outer regions; controlled by different rulers outside of the king's family.

Outer area rulers are obliged to present tribute to Shāng and join Shāng's wars; outer area and inner area are almost equal in status; outer area's obeisances rely on Shāng's military power.

Western Zhōu, c. 1045 BC – 771 BC

The hierarchy of the Overlord (天子) – lords (諸侯) – ministers and senior officials (卿大夫) – scholar-officials (士) – civilians (庶人) is established.

Patriarchal clan system (宗法制)

Its core is primogeniture: the firstborn son inherits.

Demarcation and Establishment (分封制)

The practice of dividing land to others and creating vassal states has been present since long before. With the patriarchal clan system, it becomes mature in Western Zhōu.

Vassal states of Zhōu also have their own vassal states.

Capital-countryside system (国野制)

In those vassal states, there is a division between the capital region and countryside. Inhabitants in the capital are conquerors in the region, and the upper class; inhabitants in the countryside are the conquered, and the lower class.

hereditary ranks

There are five hereditary ranks: Duke (公) – Marquis (侯) – Earl (伯) – Viscount (子) – Baron (男).

official positions

The highest ranks of officials are Three Ducal Ministers (三公): Grand Preceptor (太师), Grand Tutor (太傅), Grand Protector (太保); the second highest ranks are Six Ministers (六卿) and Five Administrators (五官).

The positions of Six Ministers are different in different records. The Five Administrators are Administrator of Land (司徒), Administrator of Military (司馬), Administrator of Supervision (司士), Administrator of Construction (司空), Administrator of Penalty (司寇). These administrator titles are also present in vassal states of Zhōu.

Eastern Zhōu, 771 BC – 256 BC

In Warring States period, the minister (丞相, 相邦, etc.) has become the second powerful position, only below the king; official positions are divided into military and civilian ones.

Commandery and County system (郡縣制)

A commandery (郡) is a region governed by an appointed military officer; a county (縣) is a region managed by an appointed official.

Qín, 221 BC - 207 BC

The supreme ruler Emperor (皇帝) comes into being.

Three Lords and Nine Ministers system (三公九卿)

Below the Emperor are the Three Lords (三公): Grand Commandant (太尉), Chancellor (丞相), Imperial Secretary (御史大夫); under Chancellor are Nine Ministers (九卿): Minister of Ceremonies (太奉常), Supervisor of Attendants (郎中令), Commandant of Guards (衛尉), Minister of Coachmen (太僕), Commandant of Justice (廷尉), Grand Herald (典客), Director of the Imperial Clan (宗正), Grand Minister of Agriculture (治粟內史), Small Treasurer (少府)

administrative divisions

Levels of administrative divisions are commandery (郡) – county (縣) – town (鄉) – district (亭) – village (里).

Western Hàn, 202 BC – 9

There are three groups of officials: Outer Court Officials (外朝官) under the Chancellor (丞相), Inner Court Officials (内朝官) under the Supreme General (大将军), Palace Officials (宫廷官).

Commandery–State system (郡國制)

In this system, States exist together with commanderies and counties.