An additional note: After the Spring and Autumn Period came the Warring States period. This was an even more turbulent period in Eastern Zhou where warlords were keen on destroying each other. This is what led to the eventual end of the Eastern Zhou dynasty. I find this similar to the demise of Shinra. The executives destroyed each other and failed to cooperate, eventually leading to their demise and the end of Shinra.

And I agree with Big D; Shinra seems like a sort of feudal empire. The Western Zhou dynasty was one, too. So I presume that Shinra is the Overlord of the FFVII world.