我国乡里制度的起源和演变

The Origin and Evolution of Township and Village System in China

我国乡里制度的形成经历了漫长的演变过程。殷商时期的邑、里、丘是居民的最小行政单位,受贵族政权管辖。西周的乡遂制度比殷商的乡里制度有所发展,基层行政组织大备。春秋战国时期,县、郡政区相继产生,乡、里基层政权从属于郡县之下,国野界限泯灭。乡级政权人员建制结构完整,乡官职责分明。里政权职能繁杂,里吏分工细密,各司其职,里内的什伍组织更加完善。乡、里两级行政职能发展到战国末期已相当完善,标志着我国乡里制度初步形成。

The formation of Township and Village System in ancient China has experienced a long process of evolution. Yi, Li and Qiu are the smallest administrative unit in Shang Dynasty, which is under the jurisdiction of the aristocracy. In Western Zhou Dynasty it progressed than ever in that its basic administrative organization is relatively complete. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the regime of county came into being, under which are township and villages with complete personnel construction and clear divisions and responsibility for officials on different levels. In late Warring States Period the organization is complete, which marks the formation of township and village System in ancient China.