Abstract:

The monarch - subject system on the whole was overlapping steadily in the Western Zhou Dynasty. However, there were still a series of changes about the system during the middle and late Western Zhou period. First, the relation of the king to his subjects was weakened. Secondly, a new monarch - subject relationship came into being. Thirdly, the position of some subjects in the dynasty changed. All of these changes brought disadvantageous effects on the crown.

Key words: the monarch - subject system, the monarch - subject relationship, sovereign's power