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.
    • 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.
  • 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.