Feudalism: Meaning and Origin

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FEUDALISM
     Feudalism was one of the basic stages in the human evolution. It can be defined as an economic and political system of production based on land-ownership. Under this system land was accorded the highest priority in society before other things. As a result of this, the owners of land were the possessors of political and economical power in society. Power follows through the possession of lands.

      This system of capital accumulation that is based on land ownership was practiced in Europe during the middle Ages before the industrial revolution that overthrew the aristocratic feudal lords and which led to the introduction of capitalism. Under feudalism, economic and political intercourse was based on the following classes of people:

1. The Lords: These were the land owners who gave land to the Vassals and Serfs to farm for them in which they (Vassals and Serf) were obliged to return profits and other economic gains got from the farming to the lords.

2. Vassals: They were primarily dependent on the lords for livelihood. They did not have the means of production. They are solely dependent on the lord for protection and they returned homage and service to the lord.

3. Serfs: They also depend on their labour powers for survival. Unlike the Vassal, the Serfs have some entitlement after farming for the Lords (i.e. the land owners) and other microscopic freedom more than the Vassals. They (Serfs) can buy their freedom from the Lords after serving the Lords for many years and automatically ceased to slaves of the Lords etc.

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