1. Centralized Bureaucracy: The concept of a centralized bureaucratic system, which had its roots in the earlier Classical period, continued to be a fundamental feature of Chinese governance. This system relied on the civil service examination system to select and promote government officials based on merit and knowledge of Confucian classics.
2. Imperial Rule: The idea of a single, all-powerful emperor ruling China as the "Son of Heaven" persisted throughout the Post-Classical era. Different dynasties rose and fell, but the core idea of imperial rule remained a constant.
3. Confucian Influence: Confucianism continued to be the dominant ideology shaping Chinese politics and governance. The Confucian emphasis on social hierarchy, filial piety, and the moral duty of rulers to govern justly was a guiding principle for successive dynasties.
4. Tributary System: China maintained a tributary system in its foreign relations. Neighboring states and foreign powers were expected to pay tribute to the Chinese emperor as a sign of their acknowledgment of China's superiority. This system was part of China's diplomatic and political continuity.
5. Meritocratic Civil Service: The civil service examination system, based on Confucian principles and emphasizing meritocracy, remained a central institution for selecting and training government officials. This system helped ensure a stable and competent bureaucracy.
6. Use of Mandate of Heaven: The concept of the "Mandate of Heaven" continued to be invoked by rulers to legitimize their authority. Rulers believed that they governed with the approval of the heavens as long as they ruled justly, and their legitimacy could be revoked if they failed to do so.
7. Administrative Structure: The administrative structure of provinces, counties, and local officials remained consistent in China's political organization. Each dynasty adapted and refined this structure, but the basic framework endured.
8. Territorial Integrity: Despite periods of fragmentation and disunity, the idea of a unified China remained a political goal. Various dynasties sought to reunify and expand China's territory when it had been divided.
These political continuities helped provide stability and continuity in governance throughout the Post-Classical era in China, even as different dynasties rose and fell, and foreign influences came and went.