Insight into the Decision-making System and Think Tanks in Feudal China

Abstract

As a part of the political system, the consulting system for decision-making in feudal China is inevitably influenced by the political system prevailing in the dynasty concerned. This paper analyzes the characteristics of the political systems in various dynasties and found that there is an internal connection with the evolution of the then-current think tanks. The study concluded that think tanks originated in the Spring and Autumn Period, rose in Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties and were prosperous in Ming and Qing Dynasties.