Language/Multiple-languages/Culture/Traditional-Political-Systems:-Eastern-Asia

In progress.

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 to disperse ministers' power.
    • the multiple-governor (多尹) group makes decisions for the king; its members mainly consist of officials and chiefs and are not fixed.
    • regional officials deal with regional public duties; they are under the king's control directly or indirectly.
    • 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

Patriarchal clan system (宗法制)

Its core is primogeniture: the firstborn inherits.

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