Final answer:
The correct answer is B, stating that Western Europe had a feudal system whereas China maintained a centralized bureaucracy during 1000—1300 CE. Europe's system was characterized by a fragmented structure of lords and vassals, while China had a unified imperial system with a complex bureaucracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asks about a comparison between the political systems of Western Europe and China during the period between 1000 and 1300 CE. The correct option is B. Western Europe had a feudal system, while China had a centralized bureaucracy. During this time, Western Europe's political landscape was characterized by a feudal system, which was a hierarchical system of land ownership and duties. Feudal lords provided protection and land to vassals in exchange for military service or other support. This system led to a fragmented political structure with local lords having significant power.
Contrastingly, China's political system was highly centralized under the rule of successive dynasties. Chinese rulers maintained a complex bureaucracy, which was organized and run based on meritocratic principles to a great extent. Officials were often selected through rigorous civil service examinations, rooted in Confucian learning. This bureaucracy helped to manage and govern a vast empire efficiently. While China was united under an imperial system, Europe was divided into numerous kingdoms and territories, each governed by feudal arrangements, making China's government more unified.