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Is a “Democratic” Oligarchy-Style System Possible?
The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InIn world with three opposing factions, what ideological, military, economic, and legal issues would arise?Possible Causes of Revolt in Generation ShipWould generation ships encourage a caste system?Effects of “tax your vote” political systemDoes Capitalism and Democracy survive free energy and automation?How can a state culturally reinforce the euthanization of deformed children?How to keep democracies from falling behind technologically?How would an RPG style job or class system work?Problems with a Distributed Government SystemHow do I create conditions to lead to a benevolent dictatorship?
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I am considering a story where a group of human colonists looking to colonize an alien world come across another human society on an alien world on the other side of a wormhole. The colonists crash land on this world after an incident and discover this society. As it turns out, the humans on this world are actually descendants of many people abducted from earth by alien "overlords" over the course of several millennia seeking to use them for a social experiment.
The purpose of said experiential was to see how these people, from various regions of earth and time, would interact with each other over the course of these millennia. Fast forward in time and these humans and their descendants have populated this world, known as Rhye, and have become rather technologically advanced, say beginning of twentieth century Earth, but with some near future technology. Keep in mind this tech is at least one hundred years behind the tech the colonists have. The colonists, however, despite their shock to see this human society on this world, discover that these people basically recreated Earth. There are nations, borders, wars and even a UN often referred to as the "Planetary Council".
But what really catches their attention is the fact that these humans, given the different eras of human history they came from, have developed a medieval oligarchy type society where social class and upbringing determines your status while capitalisim and democratic/representative governments still exist.
In this system, social rank is predetermined by birth. You have a role and you are to fulfill that role regardless. There are corporations and captialism to certain extent does exist but they are tightly controlled by the Elites and influence the government. Industry and networks are controlled by them and the only way one can hope to advance is to get a better standing within a company or business. Think of the social situation in the movie Elysium.
The governments are typically run by the more wealthy and superior classes comprised of the following branches in ascending order of power: the People's Congress/Parlimant, the Military (which I will go into detail about later), the Heirarchy (which deal with judiciary matters, law enforcement and government management), and finally the Head of State who is in charge of running the state. The upper class protect and help provide for the lower class in exchange for labor. These same Elites make up the Heirarchy holding various elected government offices. These Offices include: Council to the Head of State, ambassadors, attorney generals and high ranking generals, law enforcement, Homeland Security, etc. However the people do not elect the Head of State but rather the Heirarchy. Now, the Congress or parlimant, is elected by the lower class and typically is comprised of lower class politicians. Elites tend to stay away from it considering it beneath them to be a part of. However, while these congresses and Parlimants have the power to draw up legislative proposals, they lack the power to enforce them or pass them. Not even the Head of State. Only the Heirarchy does. In essence, they only exist to inform the Heirarchy of the people's wishes, wants and needs as a way to keep the population content.
The military situation is fairly unique as well. There are federalized militaries made up by the privileged upper class aka Elites that protect the states/kingdoms/republics. However, while these militaries are loyal to the states, they are not commanded by the Head of State but rather by the elected officials in the Heirarchy who either fund or otherwise influence them. Ideally, the Heirarchy answers to the Head of State but one can imagine how some corruption can come to play here. However, there are also private military organizations or "orders" that offer protective services to some republics and kingdoms in exchange for funding. And given this is a society originally built by people from the more ancient to medieval eras of human history and this world itself is advancing out of its own medieval era, the organizations tend to follow a Templar-style set up and often function like one.
So one can image how complex this system is.
Now, as good on paper it sounds to me, I still am not sure how practical this is. So, is it entirely feasible for a relatively stable society to exist with this kind of "Medieval Post-Feudalism Democratic Oligarchy" system? Please let me know if I need to add anything detail wise if you need clarification.
society science-fiction government space-colonization
$endgroup$
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show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I am considering a story where a group of human colonists looking to colonize an alien world come across another human society on an alien world on the other side of a wormhole. The colonists crash land on this world after an incident and discover this society. As it turns out, the humans on this world are actually descendants of many people abducted from earth by alien "overlords" over the course of several millennia seeking to use them for a social experiment.
The purpose of said experiential was to see how these people, from various regions of earth and time, would interact with each other over the course of these millennia. Fast forward in time and these humans and their descendants have populated this world, known as Rhye, and have become rather technologically advanced, say beginning of twentieth century Earth, but with some near future technology. Keep in mind this tech is at least one hundred years behind the tech the colonists have. The colonists, however, despite their shock to see this human society on this world, discover that these people basically recreated Earth. There are nations, borders, wars and even a UN often referred to as the "Planetary Council".
But what really catches their attention is the fact that these humans, given the different eras of human history they came from, have developed a medieval oligarchy type society where social class and upbringing determines your status while capitalisim and democratic/representative governments still exist.
In this system, social rank is predetermined by birth. You have a role and you are to fulfill that role regardless. There are corporations and captialism to certain extent does exist but they are tightly controlled by the Elites and influence the government. Industry and networks are controlled by them and the only way one can hope to advance is to get a better standing within a company or business. Think of the social situation in the movie Elysium.
The governments are typically run by the more wealthy and superior classes comprised of the following branches in ascending order of power: the People's Congress/Parlimant, the Military (which I will go into detail about later), the Heirarchy (which deal with judiciary matters, law enforcement and government management), and finally the Head of State who is in charge of running the state. The upper class protect and help provide for the lower class in exchange for labor. These same Elites make up the Heirarchy holding various elected government offices. These Offices include: Council to the Head of State, ambassadors, attorney generals and high ranking generals, law enforcement, Homeland Security, etc. However the people do not elect the Head of State but rather the Heirarchy. Now, the Congress or parlimant, is elected by the lower class and typically is comprised of lower class politicians. Elites tend to stay away from it considering it beneath them to be a part of. However, while these congresses and Parlimants have the power to draw up legislative proposals, they lack the power to enforce them or pass them. Not even the Head of State. Only the Heirarchy does. In essence, they only exist to inform the Heirarchy of the people's wishes, wants and needs as a way to keep the population content.
The military situation is fairly unique as well. There are federalized militaries made up by the privileged upper class aka Elites that protect the states/kingdoms/republics. However, while these militaries are loyal to the states, they are not commanded by the Head of State but rather by the elected officials in the Heirarchy who either fund or otherwise influence them. Ideally, the Heirarchy answers to the Head of State but one can imagine how some corruption can come to play here. However, there are also private military organizations or "orders" that offer protective services to some republics and kingdoms in exchange for funding. And given this is a society originally built by people from the more ancient to medieval eras of human history and this world itself is advancing out of its own medieval era, the organizations tend to follow a Templar-style set up and often function like one.
So one can image how complex this system is.
Now, as good on paper it sounds to me, I still am not sure how practical this is. So, is it entirely feasible for a relatively stable society to exist with this kind of "Medieval Post-Feudalism Democratic Oligarchy" system? Please let me know if I need to add anything detail wise if you need clarification.
society science-fiction government space-colonization
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1
$begingroup$
What you are describing seems to be more of a oligarchy and not a feudal society.
$endgroup$
– Sebastian
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
A cynical person might suggest that societies only seem stable, and most stay that way due to lucky circumstances...
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Anyway, I don't really have enough to form a useful answer, but you might consider a society that has a "voting class" to be a step towards your theoretical society. In the limit, you get something like the prince-electors.
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can get a feudal Republic, but not a true feudal Democracy (because the latter, unlike the former, implies Egalitarianism)
$endgroup$
– Alexander
6 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The words "feudalism" and "government" are barely compatible. There were indeed feudal societies which had governments, but they are not what you are thinking of. (Or maybe they are? Were you thinking of the Ottoman Empire?) However, the words "feudalism" and "capitalism" are utterly incompatible. A society is either feudal or capitalist. It's like asking for a communist society with widespread capitalism.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I am considering a story where a group of human colonists looking to colonize an alien world come across another human society on an alien world on the other side of a wormhole. The colonists crash land on this world after an incident and discover this society. As it turns out, the humans on this world are actually descendants of many people abducted from earth by alien "overlords" over the course of several millennia seeking to use them for a social experiment.
The purpose of said experiential was to see how these people, from various regions of earth and time, would interact with each other over the course of these millennia. Fast forward in time and these humans and their descendants have populated this world, known as Rhye, and have become rather technologically advanced, say beginning of twentieth century Earth, but with some near future technology. Keep in mind this tech is at least one hundred years behind the tech the colonists have. The colonists, however, despite their shock to see this human society on this world, discover that these people basically recreated Earth. There are nations, borders, wars and even a UN often referred to as the "Planetary Council".
But what really catches their attention is the fact that these humans, given the different eras of human history they came from, have developed a medieval oligarchy type society where social class and upbringing determines your status while capitalisim and democratic/representative governments still exist.
In this system, social rank is predetermined by birth. You have a role and you are to fulfill that role regardless. There are corporations and captialism to certain extent does exist but they are tightly controlled by the Elites and influence the government. Industry and networks are controlled by them and the only way one can hope to advance is to get a better standing within a company or business. Think of the social situation in the movie Elysium.
The governments are typically run by the more wealthy and superior classes comprised of the following branches in ascending order of power: the People's Congress/Parlimant, the Military (which I will go into detail about later), the Heirarchy (which deal with judiciary matters, law enforcement and government management), and finally the Head of State who is in charge of running the state. The upper class protect and help provide for the lower class in exchange for labor. These same Elites make up the Heirarchy holding various elected government offices. These Offices include: Council to the Head of State, ambassadors, attorney generals and high ranking generals, law enforcement, Homeland Security, etc. However the people do not elect the Head of State but rather the Heirarchy. Now, the Congress or parlimant, is elected by the lower class and typically is comprised of lower class politicians. Elites tend to stay away from it considering it beneath them to be a part of. However, while these congresses and Parlimants have the power to draw up legislative proposals, they lack the power to enforce them or pass them. Not even the Head of State. Only the Heirarchy does. In essence, they only exist to inform the Heirarchy of the people's wishes, wants and needs as a way to keep the population content.
The military situation is fairly unique as well. There are federalized militaries made up by the privileged upper class aka Elites that protect the states/kingdoms/republics. However, while these militaries are loyal to the states, they are not commanded by the Head of State but rather by the elected officials in the Heirarchy who either fund or otherwise influence them. Ideally, the Heirarchy answers to the Head of State but one can imagine how some corruption can come to play here. However, there are also private military organizations or "orders" that offer protective services to some republics and kingdoms in exchange for funding. And given this is a society originally built by people from the more ancient to medieval eras of human history and this world itself is advancing out of its own medieval era, the organizations tend to follow a Templar-style set up and often function like one.
So one can image how complex this system is.
Now, as good on paper it sounds to me, I still am not sure how practical this is. So, is it entirely feasible for a relatively stable society to exist with this kind of "Medieval Post-Feudalism Democratic Oligarchy" system? Please let me know if I need to add anything detail wise if you need clarification.
society science-fiction government space-colonization
$endgroup$
I am considering a story where a group of human colonists looking to colonize an alien world come across another human society on an alien world on the other side of a wormhole. The colonists crash land on this world after an incident and discover this society. As it turns out, the humans on this world are actually descendants of many people abducted from earth by alien "overlords" over the course of several millennia seeking to use them for a social experiment.
The purpose of said experiential was to see how these people, from various regions of earth and time, would interact with each other over the course of these millennia. Fast forward in time and these humans and their descendants have populated this world, known as Rhye, and have become rather technologically advanced, say beginning of twentieth century Earth, but with some near future technology. Keep in mind this tech is at least one hundred years behind the tech the colonists have. The colonists, however, despite their shock to see this human society on this world, discover that these people basically recreated Earth. There are nations, borders, wars and even a UN often referred to as the "Planetary Council".
But what really catches their attention is the fact that these humans, given the different eras of human history they came from, have developed a medieval oligarchy type society where social class and upbringing determines your status while capitalisim and democratic/representative governments still exist.
In this system, social rank is predetermined by birth. You have a role and you are to fulfill that role regardless. There are corporations and captialism to certain extent does exist but they are tightly controlled by the Elites and influence the government. Industry and networks are controlled by them and the only way one can hope to advance is to get a better standing within a company or business. Think of the social situation in the movie Elysium.
The governments are typically run by the more wealthy and superior classes comprised of the following branches in ascending order of power: the People's Congress/Parlimant, the Military (which I will go into detail about later), the Heirarchy (which deal with judiciary matters, law enforcement and government management), and finally the Head of State who is in charge of running the state. The upper class protect and help provide for the lower class in exchange for labor. These same Elites make up the Heirarchy holding various elected government offices. These Offices include: Council to the Head of State, ambassadors, attorney generals and high ranking generals, law enforcement, Homeland Security, etc. However the people do not elect the Head of State but rather the Heirarchy. Now, the Congress or parlimant, is elected by the lower class and typically is comprised of lower class politicians. Elites tend to stay away from it considering it beneath them to be a part of. However, while these congresses and Parlimants have the power to draw up legislative proposals, they lack the power to enforce them or pass them. Not even the Head of State. Only the Heirarchy does. In essence, they only exist to inform the Heirarchy of the people's wishes, wants and needs as a way to keep the population content.
The military situation is fairly unique as well. There are federalized militaries made up by the privileged upper class aka Elites that protect the states/kingdoms/republics. However, while these militaries are loyal to the states, they are not commanded by the Head of State but rather by the elected officials in the Heirarchy who either fund or otherwise influence them. Ideally, the Heirarchy answers to the Head of State but one can imagine how some corruption can come to play here. However, there are also private military organizations or "orders" that offer protective services to some republics and kingdoms in exchange for funding. And given this is a society originally built by people from the more ancient to medieval eras of human history and this world itself is advancing out of its own medieval era, the organizations tend to follow a Templar-style set up and often function like one.
So one can image how complex this system is.
Now, as good on paper it sounds to me, I still am not sure how practical this is. So, is it entirely feasible for a relatively stable society to exist with this kind of "Medieval Post-Feudalism Democratic Oligarchy" system? Please let me know if I need to add anything detail wise if you need clarification.
society science-fiction government space-colonization
society science-fiction government space-colonization
edited 1 hour ago
Noah
asked 8 hours ago
NoahNoah
440313
440313
1
$begingroup$
What you are describing seems to be more of a oligarchy and not a feudal society.
$endgroup$
– Sebastian
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
A cynical person might suggest that societies only seem stable, and most stay that way due to lucky circumstances...
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Anyway, I don't really have enough to form a useful answer, but you might consider a society that has a "voting class" to be a step towards your theoretical society. In the limit, you get something like the prince-electors.
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can get a feudal Republic, but not a true feudal Democracy (because the latter, unlike the former, implies Egalitarianism)
$endgroup$
– Alexander
6 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The words "feudalism" and "government" are barely compatible. There were indeed feudal societies which had governments, but they are not what you are thinking of. (Or maybe they are? Were you thinking of the Ottoman Empire?) However, the words "feudalism" and "capitalism" are utterly incompatible. A society is either feudal or capitalist. It's like asking for a communist society with widespread capitalism.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
1
$begingroup$
What you are describing seems to be more of a oligarchy and not a feudal society.
$endgroup$
– Sebastian
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
A cynical person might suggest that societies only seem stable, and most stay that way due to lucky circumstances...
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Anyway, I don't really have enough to form a useful answer, but you might consider a society that has a "voting class" to be a step towards your theoretical society. In the limit, you get something like the prince-electors.
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can get a feudal Republic, but not a true feudal Democracy (because the latter, unlike the former, implies Egalitarianism)
$endgroup$
– Alexander
6 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The words "feudalism" and "government" are barely compatible. There were indeed feudal societies which had governments, but they are not what you are thinking of. (Or maybe they are? Were you thinking of the Ottoman Empire?) However, the words "feudalism" and "capitalism" are utterly incompatible. A society is either feudal or capitalist. It's like asking for a communist society with widespread capitalism.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
What you are describing seems to be more of a oligarchy and not a feudal society.
$endgroup$
– Sebastian
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
What you are describing seems to be more of a oligarchy and not a feudal society.
$endgroup$
– Sebastian
8 hours ago
$begingroup$
A cynical person might suggest that societies only seem stable, and most stay that way due to lucky circumstances...
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
A cynical person might suggest that societies only seem stable, and most stay that way due to lucky circumstances...
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Anyway, I don't really have enough to form a useful answer, but you might consider a society that has a "voting class" to be a step towards your theoretical society. In the limit, you get something like the prince-electors.
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Anyway, I don't really have enough to form a useful answer, but you might consider a society that has a "voting class" to be a step towards your theoretical society. In the limit, you get something like the prince-electors.
$endgroup$
– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can get a feudal Republic, but not a true feudal Democracy (because the latter, unlike the former, implies Egalitarianism)
$endgroup$
– Alexander
6 hours ago
$begingroup$
You can get a feudal Republic, but not a true feudal Democracy (because the latter, unlike the former, implies Egalitarianism)
$endgroup$
– Alexander
6 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
The words "feudalism" and "government" are barely compatible. There were indeed feudal societies which had governments, but they are not what you are thinking of. (Or maybe they are? Were you thinking of the Ottoman Empire?) However, the words "feudalism" and "capitalism" are utterly incompatible. A society is either feudal or capitalist. It's like asking for a communist society with widespread capitalism.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
The words "feudalism" and "government" are barely compatible. There were indeed feudal societies which had governments, but they are not what you are thinking of. (Or maybe they are? Were you thinking of the Ottoman Empire?) However, the words "feudalism" and "capitalism" are utterly incompatible. A society is either feudal or capitalist. It's like asking for a communist society with widespread capitalism.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
7 Answers
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active
oldest
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Define feudalism
When you say "feudal," what do you actually mean?
Feudalism is defined by Brittanica as
the social, economic, and political conditions in western Europe
during the early Middle Ages, the long stretch of time between the 5th
and 12th centuries.
There were basically no democratic systems that existed during that time period, and limited republican systems, so by a strict definition of feudalism, the answer is a clear "No". Since there were no democratic polities that existed in Western Europe in the 5th to 12th centuries, democratic-feudalism is an oxymoron.
Do you want "feudalism" or a class stratified society with voting?
If you want the latter, then there are plenty of examples to go around.
- In the strict medieval period of Western Europe, though mostly later than the 12th century, the Venetian Republic operated with limited male suffrage, as did several other city-states of Italy, such as Florence.
- A less republican Late Medieval variant was the Golden Liberty of Poland, where only the nobles got to vote. This process proceeded somewhat slowly, but a landmark was the 1505 Nihil Novi an act forbidding the King from passing laws without the consent of the Sejm.
- The paragon of a democratic yet class-based society would be England. Democracy developed slowly from the Magna Carta. By the time of the English Civil War (1640s) and Glorious Revolution (1688), the authority of Parliament, even over the King, was well established. The English Bill of Rights of 1689 established free elections to the House of Commons. The electorate was reasonably open for most of the later Middle Ages. But, an 1432 law established eligibility as landowners who held more property worth 40 shillings of rent. While this did not de jure restrict women from voting, in practice custom forbade it.
But, note, universal male suffrage did not appear until the French revolution in 1792. The first country with permanent universal male suffrage was Greece in 1844; universal suffrage was first in New Zealand in 1893 (though some territories and states, like Wyoming, had it as far back as 1869). Without a revolutionary era as happened at the end of the 18th century on actual Earth, it is unlikely that suffrage would be universal, or ever extended to all men without property.
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Is it possible where Lords and Kings can be elected into a position by his subjects or own class? I say feudalism where we have Kings, Lords and the lower class aka peasants. But it's more of a modern take with democratic elections and representation of the lower class. Doesn't mean they have power over the government but they do have leverage over the officials. If the peasants do not like then, they might as well expect a revolution.
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– Noah
7 hours ago
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I think you're in the right ballpark with Venice. The Italian city-states played around with a Republican form of governments all over the place. Genoa in particular had elections in the 11th century.
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– Michael W.
5 hours ago
1
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The definition quoted at the beginning of the answer is worthless; yes, most western European societies during the Middle Ages were feudal, but equating feudalism with what western Europeans (all of them? really?) did between the 5th and 12th century is strange. I would hope that Britannica goes on and says down the page, sorry, that was a little white lie, here is the true definition. (1) What happened in the 13th, 14th, 15th century? Did they progress to communism? (2) So the late Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and, notoriously, Japan, were not feudal? What were they?
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– AlexP
4 hours ago
1
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@Noah: You obviously have a very unusual definition of the word "feudalism". You really should edit the question and explain what you mean, because, for example, England to this day has "Kings, Lords and farmers" (we don't call them "peasants"). And yet England has not had a feudal society since half a millennium ago.
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– AlexP
4 hours ago
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This answer makes a good point. Too often people think "feudalism" is defined by the window dressing: a peerage, chivalry, chartered land ownership, serfs, and the occasional crusade. It's much more legal, economic, and political than that. And because of that, once you introduce democracy (or any other form of government) you no longer have feudalism.
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– JBH
4 hours ago
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show 1 more comment
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One important aspect of Feudalism, and why it came about in the first place, that is often overlooked from a modern viewpoint is that Feudalism is a two way social structure:
Those who are at the top and supported by those below them aren't originally up there looking out for purely their own self interest, but rather their role in society was to be that of protector and manager.
Lower classes swear loyalty to an upper class not because they were lowly dirt dwelling scum who got nothing out of it, but rather they swear loyalty in exchange for protection, peace, and organization.
"I work this land, give you part of my yearly labour, and otherwise support you, and you and all your buddies promise to help me live in peace and good health, and keep those far off foreigners from killing all the men and running off with the gold and women..." ["And maybe I'll help you go to those foreign lands to take their stuff..."]
(Consider this social construct to the modern "I promise to work for your company, and you promise to lay me off whenever you think that might help you buy a bigger house/yacht/jet/whatever." - Humanity is weird.)
So you have multiple ways to structure things:
- Do the lords and protectors get elected?
- Are there multiple layers of government, based on social class, with elected elements? [In human history we have any number of examples advisers elected to government representing various class levels.]
- A mix and match of elected/hereditary/religious titles?
At its heart, a democratic-feudal structure is no less stable than a democratic "Vote for me so I can plunder the nation for my four year term for my own/my friend's/family's benefit" politics we see today.
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Yes, I wanted the Lords and Kings to be elected by either the peasants or the class they are in. Preferably the former. The government can be described as military orders loyal to the government (army, navy, air force), a Congress/parlimant, the Hiearchy (the ruling class), then the King (elected head if state). Essentially, I am trying to create a near medieval society with a modern touch.
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– Noah
7 hours ago
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I'd expect a "democratic feudalism" to be similar to an elective monarchy, except that the entire hierarchy is elected, rather than just the guy at the top.
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– Mark
5 hours ago
add a comment |
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You can't have a feudal society and capitalism. Capitalism creates a plutocratic class that will fight against the feudal elite. If they fail the capitalism is crushed and feudalism remains. If they win, the feudal system is gone.
This happens because the social link in a capitalist society is money while in a feudal society are the oaths of fealty between the people. These two links can't coexist for long.
About democratic feudalism (but without capitalism): it can exist - the warlords may form noble republics where they elect their overlord and can veto decisions, something like the government of old Poland.
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1
$begingroup$
+1. I agree. The weak link is combining capitalism with feudalism. Apart from what you said capitalism requires lots social and economic infrastructure to work, while feudalism is what states that lack such infrastructure use. Any overlap would be temporary and full of conflict. As for democracy, the warlords themselves might also be elected. Having soldiers, warriors or pirates elect their leaders is fairly common actually. But it would require that the fiefs are given to the military unit not individual people, so it would differ from feudalism as we know.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A feudal system can have an "electoral system": for instance, usually the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was elected by a council of the most important feudal lord
Usually, a feudal system (but it happens for every system featuring a ruling oligarchy by birth) goes into crisis when a bourgeoisie (commoners who are able to accumulate a considerable wealth) rises. These new riches basically want to have the right to join the administration of the power. It happened for instance in the ancient Rome, in Italy and North Europe during the rise of the communes, in the 18th century France
In the Middle Age, usually the people in the countryside were under the rule of the feudal lords, while the people living in the cities were free from feudal rules, and could become "owners of themselves" and start a work as artisans or merchants, creating an embryo of bourgeoisie and this way triggering the rise of communes in late Middle Age.
So, in my idea a possibility would be a partial feudal-democratic system: the society is divided into free cities (under democratic rule) and rural countries (under feudal rule). Feudal lords should of course follow the laws and treat well their subjects, in order not to lose their peasants. At the same time, people who don't like democracy or feel that they would live better under the protection of a ruler could leave the cities and become subjects of the feudal lords.
Every time the emperor dies or resigns, the feudal lords and the representatives of the cities would elect a new emperor.
The problem is that at some point, the industrial revolution will happen (it seems unavoidable, in order to reach a present-day-like development), which would create an unbalance in the equilibrium between country and city (basically, cities will start to exponentially accumulate wealth and population).
To keep the feudal system, we can speculate that a kind of subdivision would spontaneously be established (feudal lords could found their own factories, more efficient thanks to the feudal labor, but less innovative with respect to urban factories), that could live up to present day.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I could see all three of these factors dovetailing quite nicely (if you can use dovetail for 3 things...).
Feudalism
This gives us classes: lords, vassals, peasants, royalty, etc. At each level you receive different rights, privileges and responsibilities. Perhaps only lords can vote or maybe all classes can vote but only lords and royalty can own land. These distinctions are up to you and don't greatly impact the other two aspects.
Democracy
You don't vote for king! And maybe even prince, financial adviser or some number of lords. Again, there is a large amount of sway you can exert here depending on just how democratic you want your world to be.
Capitalism
Instead of marriage, knighthood or other methods of moving from class to class, you move up in rank with money. This isn't to say that you can become king this way as that still requires a vote (but money does tend to help with that). As you accumulate money you gain rights thanks to moving up in class. Poor peasant Bill Gates makes himself a lord of a minor or major kingdom (depending on where you draw the voting line).
All together you have what might look shockingly like our modern society except that we have King Trump and he doesn't just pretend to wield absolute power, he does and he's king for life. Instead of money allowing you to influence political decisions, it allows you to make them. Like all political systems, the flaws will become apparent the longer it's around and this system would by no means be perfect.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Feudalism has three main parts, lords, lands, and vassals. The lords own the lands and lords owe their loyalty to other lords supplying mutual military and economic support. The peasantry are tied to the land. Nothing says the lords can't be elected by the peasants they rule. Involving complex capitalism would make things a little more complex. A corporation might fit in with the lords, owning land and the workers on it while pledging loyalty to a lord or other corporation.
A strict social hierarchy is not necessarily a requirement of feudalism though.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Plenty of countries like that right now. So just scale it up. Most of the independent polynesian nations are democratic oligarchies. It all comes down to control of resources.
How it works is that the elite class (chiefs) controls all the land, businesses, govt etc,. by law, so all govt CEO's and politicians are exclusively from an elite class with no one else eligible to even apply.
Private ownership of land is not common and very expensive so most people live on land controlled at all points by elites, in theory they can do anything they want. But in practice disagreeing or voting against the chiefs wishes could get them and their whole extended family legally banished from their village and therefore without the resources they need to feed themselves.
So while these are recognised democracies, it may be very different to what other countries have.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
Define feudalism
When you say "feudal," what do you actually mean?
Feudalism is defined by Brittanica as
the social, economic, and political conditions in western Europe
during the early Middle Ages, the long stretch of time between the 5th
and 12th centuries.
There were basically no democratic systems that existed during that time period, and limited republican systems, so by a strict definition of feudalism, the answer is a clear "No". Since there were no democratic polities that existed in Western Europe in the 5th to 12th centuries, democratic-feudalism is an oxymoron.
Do you want "feudalism" or a class stratified society with voting?
If you want the latter, then there are plenty of examples to go around.
- In the strict medieval period of Western Europe, though mostly later than the 12th century, the Venetian Republic operated with limited male suffrage, as did several other city-states of Italy, such as Florence.
- A less republican Late Medieval variant was the Golden Liberty of Poland, where only the nobles got to vote. This process proceeded somewhat slowly, but a landmark was the 1505 Nihil Novi an act forbidding the King from passing laws without the consent of the Sejm.
- The paragon of a democratic yet class-based society would be England. Democracy developed slowly from the Magna Carta. By the time of the English Civil War (1640s) and Glorious Revolution (1688), the authority of Parliament, even over the King, was well established. The English Bill of Rights of 1689 established free elections to the House of Commons. The electorate was reasonably open for most of the later Middle Ages. But, an 1432 law established eligibility as landowners who held more property worth 40 shillings of rent. While this did not de jure restrict women from voting, in practice custom forbade it.
But, note, universal male suffrage did not appear until the French revolution in 1792. The first country with permanent universal male suffrage was Greece in 1844; universal suffrage was first in New Zealand in 1893 (though some territories and states, like Wyoming, had it as far back as 1869). Without a revolutionary era as happened at the end of the 18th century on actual Earth, it is unlikely that suffrage would be universal, or ever extended to all men without property.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Is it possible where Lords and Kings can be elected into a position by his subjects or own class? I say feudalism where we have Kings, Lords and the lower class aka peasants. But it's more of a modern take with democratic elections and representation of the lower class. Doesn't mean they have power over the government but they do have leverage over the officials. If the peasants do not like then, they might as well expect a revolution.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I think you're in the right ballpark with Venice. The Italian city-states played around with a Republican form of governments all over the place. Genoa in particular had elections in the 11th century.
$endgroup$
– Michael W.
5 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The definition quoted at the beginning of the answer is worthless; yes, most western European societies during the Middle Ages were feudal, but equating feudalism with what western Europeans (all of them? really?) did between the 5th and 12th century is strange. I would hope that Britannica goes on and says down the page, sorry, that was a little white lie, here is the true definition. (1) What happened in the 13th, 14th, 15th century? Did they progress to communism? (2) So the late Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and, notoriously, Japan, were not feudal? What were they?
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Noah: You obviously have a very unusual definition of the word "feudalism". You really should edit the question and explain what you mean, because, for example, England to this day has "Kings, Lords and farmers" (we don't call them "peasants"). And yet England has not had a feudal society since half a millennium ago.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This answer makes a good point. Too often people think "feudalism" is defined by the window dressing: a peerage, chivalry, chartered land ownership, serfs, and the occasional crusade. It's much more legal, economic, and political than that. And because of that, once you introduce democracy (or any other form of government) you no longer have feudalism.
$endgroup$
– JBH
4 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Define feudalism
When you say "feudal," what do you actually mean?
Feudalism is defined by Brittanica as
the social, economic, and political conditions in western Europe
during the early Middle Ages, the long stretch of time between the 5th
and 12th centuries.
There were basically no democratic systems that existed during that time period, and limited republican systems, so by a strict definition of feudalism, the answer is a clear "No". Since there were no democratic polities that existed in Western Europe in the 5th to 12th centuries, democratic-feudalism is an oxymoron.
Do you want "feudalism" or a class stratified society with voting?
If you want the latter, then there are plenty of examples to go around.
- In the strict medieval period of Western Europe, though mostly later than the 12th century, the Venetian Republic operated with limited male suffrage, as did several other city-states of Italy, such as Florence.
- A less republican Late Medieval variant was the Golden Liberty of Poland, where only the nobles got to vote. This process proceeded somewhat slowly, but a landmark was the 1505 Nihil Novi an act forbidding the King from passing laws without the consent of the Sejm.
- The paragon of a democratic yet class-based society would be England. Democracy developed slowly from the Magna Carta. By the time of the English Civil War (1640s) and Glorious Revolution (1688), the authority of Parliament, even over the King, was well established. The English Bill of Rights of 1689 established free elections to the House of Commons. The electorate was reasonably open for most of the later Middle Ages. But, an 1432 law established eligibility as landowners who held more property worth 40 shillings of rent. While this did not de jure restrict women from voting, in practice custom forbade it.
But, note, universal male suffrage did not appear until the French revolution in 1792. The first country with permanent universal male suffrage was Greece in 1844; universal suffrage was first in New Zealand in 1893 (though some territories and states, like Wyoming, had it as far back as 1869). Without a revolutionary era as happened at the end of the 18th century on actual Earth, it is unlikely that suffrage would be universal, or ever extended to all men without property.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Is it possible where Lords and Kings can be elected into a position by his subjects or own class? I say feudalism where we have Kings, Lords and the lower class aka peasants. But it's more of a modern take with democratic elections and representation of the lower class. Doesn't mean they have power over the government but they do have leverage over the officials. If the peasants do not like then, they might as well expect a revolution.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I think you're in the right ballpark with Venice. The Italian city-states played around with a Republican form of governments all over the place. Genoa in particular had elections in the 11th century.
$endgroup$
– Michael W.
5 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The definition quoted at the beginning of the answer is worthless; yes, most western European societies during the Middle Ages were feudal, but equating feudalism with what western Europeans (all of them? really?) did between the 5th and 12th century is strange. I would hope that Britannica goes on and says down the page, sorry, that was a little white lie, here is the true definition. (1) What happened in the 13th, 14th, 15th century? Did they progress to communism? (2) So the late Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and, notoriously, Japan, were not feudal? What were they?
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Noah: You obviously have a very unusual definition of the word "feudalism". You really should edit the question and explain what you mean, because, for example, England to this day has "Kings, Lords and farmers" (we don't call them "peasants"). And yet England has not had a feudal society since half a millennium ago.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This answer makes a good point. Too often people think "feudalism" is defined by the window dressing: a peerage, chivalry, chartered land ownership, serfs, and the occasional crusade. It's much more legal, economic, and political than that. And because of that, once you introduce democracy (or any other form of government) you no longer have feudalism.
$endgroup$
– JBH
4 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Define feudalism
When you say "feudal," what do you actually mean?
Feudalism is defined by Brittanica as
the social, economic, and political conditions in western Europe
during the early Middle Ages, the long stretch of time between the 5th
and 12th centuries.
There were basically no democratic systems that existed during that time period, and limited republican systems, so by a strict definition of feudalism, the answer is a clear "No". Since there were no democratic polities that existed in Western Europe in the 5th to 12th centuries, democratic-feudalism is an oxymoron.
Do you want "feudalism" or a class stratified society with voting?
If you want the latter, then there are plenty of examples to go around.
- In the strict medieval period of Western Europe, though mostly later than the 12th century, the Venetian Republic operated with limited male suffrage, as did several other city-states of Italy, such as Florence.
- A less republican Late Medieval variant was the Golden Liberty of Poland, where only the nobles got to vote. This process proceeded somewhat slowly, but a landmark was the 1505 Nihil Novi an act forbidding the King from passing laws without the consent of the Sejm.
- The paragon of a democratic yet class-based society would be England. Democracy developed slowly from the Magna Carta. By the time of the English Civil War (1640s) and Glorious Revolution (1688), the authority of Parliament, even over the King, was well established. The English Bill of Rights of 1689 established free elections to the House of Commons. The electorate was reasonably open for most of the later Middle Ages. But, an 1432 law established eligibility as landowners who held more property worth 40 shillings of rent. While this did not de jure restrict women from voting, in practice custom forbade it.
But, note, universal male suffrage did not appear until the French revolution in 1792. The first country with permanent universal male suffrage was Greece in 1844; universal suffrage was first in New Zealand in 1893 (though some territories and states, like Wyoming, had it as far back as 1869). Without a revolutionary era as happened at the end of the 18th century on actual Earth, it is unlikely that suffrage would be universal, or ever extended to all men without property.
$endgroup$
Define feudalism
When you say "feudal," what do you actually mean?
Feudalism is defined by Brittanica as
the social, economic, and political conditions in western Europe
during the early Middle Ages, the long stretch of time between the 5th
and 12th centuries.
There were basically no democratic systems that existed during that time period, and limited republican systems, so by a strict definition of feudalism, the answer is a clear "No". Since there were no democratic polities that existed in Western Europe in the 5th to 12th centuries, democratic-feudalism is an oxymoron.
Do you want "feudalism" or a class stratified society with voting?
If you want the latter, then there are plenty of examples to go around.
- In the strict medieval period of Western Europe, though mostly later than the 12th century, the Venetian Republic operated with limited male suffrage, as did several other city-states of Italy, such as Florence.
- A less republican Late Medieval variant was the Golden Liberty of Poland, where only the nobles got to vote. This process proceeded somewhat slowly, but a landmark was the 1505 Nihil Novi an act forbidding the King from passing laws without the consent of the Sejm.
- The paragon of a democratic yet class-based society would be England. Democracy developed slowly from the Magna Carta. By the time of the English Civil War (1640s) and Glorious Revolution (1688), the authority of Parliament, even over the King, was well established. The English Bill of Rights of 1689 established free elections to the House of Commons. The electorate was reasonably open for most of the later Middle Ages. But, an 1432 law established eligibility as landowners who held more property worth 40 shillings of rent. While this did not de jure restrict women from voting, in practice custom forbade it.
But, note, universal male suffrage did not appear until the French revolution in 1792. The first country with permanent universal male suffrage was Greece in 1844; universal suffrage was first in New Zealand in 1893 (though some territories and states, like Wyoming, had it as far back as 1869). Without a revolutionary era as happened at the end of the 18th century on actual Earth, it is unlikely that suffrage would be universal, or ever extended to all men without property.
edited 7 hours ago
answered 7 hours ago
kingledionkingledion
74.5k26246436
74.5k26246436
$begingroup$
Is it possible where Lords and Kings can be elected into a position by his subjects or own class? I say feudalism where we have Kings, Lords and the lower class aka peasants. But it's more of a modern take with democratic elections and representation of the lower class. Doesn't mean they have power over the government but they do have leverage over the officials. If the peasants do not like then, they might as well expect a revolution.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I think you're in the right ballpark with Venice. The Italian city-states played around with a Republican form of governments all over the place. Genoa in particular had elections in the 11th century.
$endgroup$
– Michael W.
5 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The definition quoted at the beginning of the answer is worthless; yes, most western European societies during the Middle Ages were feudal, but equating feudalism with what western Europeans (all of them? really?) did between the 5th and 12th century is strange. I would hope that Britannica goes on and says down the page, sorry, that was a little white lie, here is the true definition. (1) What happened in the 13th, 14th, 15th century? Did they progress to communism? (2) So the late Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and, notoriously, Japan, were not feudal? What were they?
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Noah: You obviously have a very unusual definition of the word "feudalism". You really should edit the question and explain what you mean, because, for example, England to this day has "Kings, Lords and farmers" (we don't call them "peasants"). And yet England has not had a feudal society since half a millennium ago.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This answer makes a good point. Too often people think "feudalism" is defined by the window dressing: a peerage, chivalry, chartered land ownership, serfs, and the occasional crusade. It's much more legal, economic, and political than that. And because of that, once you introduce democracy (or any other form of government) you no longer have feudalism.
$endgroup$
– JBH
4 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Is it possible where Lords and Kings can be elected into a position by his subjects or own class? I say feudalism where we have Kings, Lords and the lower class aka peasants. But it's more of a modern take with democratic elections and representation of the lower class. Doesn't mean they have power over the government but they do have leverage over the officials. If the peasants do not like then, they might as well expect a revolution.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I think you're in the right ballpark with Venice. The Italian city-states played around with a Republican form of governments all over the place. Genoa in particular had elections in the 11th century.
$endgroup$
– Michael W.
5 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The definition quoted at the beginning of the answer is worthless; yes, most western European societies during the Middle Ages were feudal, but equating feudalism with what western Europeans (all of them? really?) did between the 5th and 12th century is strange. I would hope that Britannica goes on and says down the page, sorry, that was a little white lie, here is the true definition. (1) What happened in the 13th, 14th, 15th century? Did they progress to communism? (2) So the late Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and, notoriously, Japan, were not feudal? What were they?
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@Noah: You obviously have a very unusual definition of the word "feudalism". You really should edit the question and explain what you mean, because, for example, England to this day has "Kings, Lords and farmers" (we don't call them "peasants"). And yet England has not had a feudal society since half a millennium ago.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This answer makes a good point. Too often people think "feudalism" is defined by the window dressing: a peerage, chivalry, chartered land ownership, serfs, and the occasional crusade. It's much more legal, economic, and political than that. And because of that, once you introduce democracy (or any other form of government) you no longer have feudalism.
$endgroup$
– JBH
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Is it possible where Lords and Kings can be elected into a position by his subjects or own class? I say feudalism where we have Kings, Lords and the lower class aka peasants. But it's more of a modern take with democratic elections and representation of the lower class. Doesn't mean they have power over the government but they do have leverage over the officials. If the peasants do not like then, they might as well expect a revolution.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Is it possible where Lords and Kings can be elected into a position by his subjects or own class? I say feudalism where we have Kings, Lords and the lower class aka peasants. But it's more of a modern take with democratic elections and representation of the lower class. Doesn't mean they have power over the government but they do have leverage over the officials. If the peasants do not like then, they might as well expect a revolution.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I think you're in the right ballpark with Venice. The Italian city-states played around with a Republican form of governments all over the place. Genoa in particular had elections in the 11th century.
$endgroup$
– Michael W.
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
I think you're in the right ballpark with Venice. The Italian city-states played around with a Republican form of governments all over the place. Genoa in particular had elections in the 11th century.
$endgroup$
– Michael W.
5 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
The definition quoted at the beginning of the answer is worthless; yes, most western European societies during the Middle Ages were feudal, but equating feudalism with what western Europeans (all of them? really?) did between the 5th and 12th century is strange. I would hope that Britannica goes on and says down the page, sorry, that was a little white lie, here is the true definition. (1) What happened in the 13th, 14th, 15th century? Did they progress to communism? (2) So the late Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and, notoriously, Japan, were not feudal? What were they?
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
The definition quoted at the beginning of the answer is worthless; yes, most western European societies during the Middle Ages were feudal, but equating feudalism with what western Europeans (all of them? really?) did between the 5th and 12th century is strange. I would hope that Britannica goes on and says down the page, sorry, that was a little white lie, here is the true definition. (1) What happened in the 13th, 14th, 15th century? Did they progress to communism? (2) So the late Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire and, notoriously, Japan, were not feudal? What were they?
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@Noah: You obviously have a very unusual definition of the word "feudalism". You really should edit the question and explain what you mean, because, for example, England to this day has "Kings, Lords and farmers" (we don't call them "peasants"). And yet England has not had a feudal society since half a millennium ago.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Noah: You obviously have a very unusual definition of the word "feudalism". You really should edit the question and explain what you mean, because, for example, England to this day has "Kings, Lords and farmers" (we don't call them "peasants"). And yet England has not had a feudal society since half a millennium ago.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This answer makes a good point. Too often people think "feudalism" is defined by the window dressing: a peerage, chivalry, chartered land ownership, serfs, and the occasional crusade. It's much more legal, economic, and political than that. And because of that, once you introduce democracy (or any other form of government) you no longer have feudalism.
$endgroup$
– JBH
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This answer makes a good point. Too often people think "feudalism" is defined by the window dressing: a peerage, chivalry, chartered land ownership, serfs, and the occasional crusade. It's much more legal, economic, and political than that. And because of that, once you introduce democracy (or any other form of government) you no longer have feudalism.
$endgroup$
– JBH
4 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
One important aspect of Feudalism, and why it came about in the first place, that is often overlooked from a modern viewpoint is that Feudalism is a two way social structure:
Those who are at the top and supported by those below them aren't originally up there looking out for purely their own self interest, but rather their role in society was to be that of protector and manager.
Lower classes swear loyalty to an upper class not because they were lowly dirt dwelling scum who got nothing out of it, but rather they swear loyalty in exchange for protection, peace, and organization.
"I work this land, give you part of my yearly labour, and otherwise support you, and you and all your buddies promise to help me live in peace and good health, and keep those far off foreigners from killing all the men and running off with the gold and women..." ["And maybe I'll help you go to those foreign lands to take their stuff..."]
(Consider this social construct to the modern "I promise to work for your company, and you promise to lay me off whenever you think that might help you buy a bigger house/yacht/jet/whatever." - Humanity is weird.)
So you have multiple ways to structure things:
- Do the lords and protectors get elected?
- Are there multiple layers of government, based on social class, with elected elements? [In human history we have any number of examples advisers elected to government representing various class levels.]
- A mix and match of elected/hereditary/religious titles?
At its heart, a democratic-feudal structure is no less stable than a democratic "Vote for me so I can plunder the nation for my four year term for my own/my friend's/family's benefit" politics we see today.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Yes, I wanted the Lords and Kings to be elected by either the peasants or the class they are in. Preferably the former. The government can be described as military orders loyal to the government (army, navy, air force), a Congress/parlimant, the Hiearchy (the ruling class), then the King (elected head if state). Essentially, I am trying to create a near medieval society with a modern touch.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I'd expect a "democratic feudalism" to be similar to an elective monarchy, except that the entire hierarchy is elected, rather than just the guy at the top.
$endgroup$
– Mark
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
One important aspect of Feudalism, and why it came about in the first place, that is often overlooked from a modern viewpoint is that Feudalism is a two way social structure:
Those who are at the top and supported by those below them aren't originally up there looking out for purely their own self interest, but rather their role in society was to be that of protector and manager.
Lower classes swear loyalty to an upper class not because they were lowly dirt dwelling scum who got nothing out of it, but rather they swear loyalty in exchange for protection, peace, and organization.
"I work this land, give you part of my yearly labour, and otherwise support you, and you and all your buddies promise to help me live in peace and good health, and keep those far off foreigners from killing all the men and running off with the gold and women..." ["And maybe I'll help you go to those foreign lands to take their stuff..."]
(Consider this social construct to the modern "I promise to work for your company, and you promise to lay me off whenever you think that might help you buy a bigger house/yacht/jet/whatever." - Humanity is weird.)
So you have multiple ways to structure things:
- Do the lords and protectors get elected?
- Are there multiple layers of government, based on social class, with elected elements? [In human history we have any number of examples advisers elected to government representing various class levels.]
- A mix and match of elected/hereditary/religious titles?
At its heart, a democratic-feudal structure is no less stable than a democratic "Vote for me so I can plunder the nation for my four year term for my own/my friend's/family's benefit" politics we see today.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Yes, I wanted the Lords and Kings to be elected by either the peasants or the class they are in. Preferably the former. The government can be described as military orders loyal to the government (army, navy, air force), a Congress/parlimant, the Hiearchy (the ruling class), then the King (elected head if state). Essentially, I am trying to create a near medieval society with a modern touch.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I'd expect a "democratic feudalism" to be similar to an elective monarchy, except that the entire hierarchy is elected, rather than just the guy at the top.
$endgroup$
– Mark
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
One important aspect of Feudalism, and why it came about in the first place, that is often overlooked from a modern viewpoint is that Feudalism is a two way social structure:
Those who are at the top and supported by those below them aren't originally up there looking out for purely their own self interest, but rather their role in society was to be that of protector and manager.
Lower classes swear loyalty to an upper class not because they were lowly dirt dwelling scum who got nothing out of it, but rather they swear loyalty in exchange for protection, peace, and organization.
"I work this land, give you part of my yearly labour, and otherwise support you, and you and all your buddies promise to help me live in peace and good health, and keep those far off foreigners from killing all the men and running off with the gold and women..." ["And maybe I'll help you go to those foreign lands to take their stuff..."]
(Consider this social construct to the modern "I promise to work for your company, and you promise to lay me off whenever you think that might help you buy a bigger house/yacht/jet/whatever." - Humanity is weird.)
So you have multiple ways to structure things:
- Do the lords and protectors get elected?
- Are there multiple layers of government, based on social class, with elected elements? [In human history we have any number of examples advisers elected to government representing various class levels.]
- A mix and match of elected/hereditary/religious titles?
At its heart, a democratic-feudal structure is no less stable than a democratic "Vote for me so I can plunder the nation for my four year term for my own/my friend's/family's benefit" politics we see today.
$endgroup$
One important aspect of Feudalism, and why it came about in the first place, that is often overlooked from a modern viewpoint is that Feudalism is a two way social structure:
Those who are at the top and supported by those below them aren't originally up there looking out for purely their own self interest, but rather their role in society was to be that of protector and manager.
Lower classes swear loyalty to an upper class not because they were lowly dirt dwelling scum who got nothing out of it, but rather they swear loyalty in exchange for protection, peace, and organization.
"I work this land, give you part of my yearly labour, and otherwise support you, and you and all your buddies promise to help me live in peace and good health, and keep those far off foreigners from killing all the men and running off with the gold and women..." ["And maybe I'll help you go to those foreign lands to take their stuff..."]
(Consider this social construct to the modern "I promise to work for your company, and you promise to lay me off whenever you think that might help you buy a bigger house/yacht/jet/whatever." - Humanity is weird.)
So you have multiple ways to structure things:
- Do the lords and protectors get elected?
- Are there multiple layers of government, based on social class, with elected elements? [In human history we have any number of examples advisers elected to government representing various class levels.]
- A mix and match of elected/hereditary/religious titles?
At its heart, a democratic-feudal structure is no less stable than a democratic "Vote for me so I can plunder the nation for my four year term for my own/my friend's/family's benefit" politics we see today.
answered 7 hours ago
TheLucklessTheLuckless
65615
65615
$begingroup$
Yes, I wanted the Lords and Kings to be elected by either the peasants or the class they are in. Preferably the former. The government can be described as military orders loyal to the government (army, navy, air force), a Congress/parlimant, the Hiearchy (the ruling class), then the King (elected head if state). Essentially, I am trying to create a near medieval society with a modern touch.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I'd expect a "democratic feudalism" to be similar to an elective monarchy, except that the entire hierarchy is elected, rather than just the guy at the top.
$endgroup$
– Mark
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, I wanted the Lords and Kings to be elected by either the peasants or the class they are in. Preferably the former. The government can be described as military orders loyal to the government (army, navy, air force), a Congress/parlimant, the Hiearchy (the ruling class), then the King (elected head if state). Essentially, I am trying to create a near medieval society with a modern touch.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I'd expect a "democratic feudalism" to be similar to an elective monarchy, except that the entire hierarchy is elected, rather than just the guy at the top.
$endgroup$
– Mark
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
Yes, I wanted the Lords and Kings to be elected by either the peasants or the class they are in. Preferably the former. The government can be described as military orders loyal to the government (army, navy, air force), a Congress/parlimant, the Hiearchy (the ruling class), then the King (elected head if state). Essentially, I am trying to create a near medieval society with a modern touch.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
Yes, I wanted the Lords and Kings to be elected by either the peasants or the class they are in. Preferably the former. The government can be described as military orders loyal to the government (army, navy, air force), a Congress/parlimant, the Hiearchy (the ruling class), then the King (elected head if state). Essentially, I am trying to create a near medieval society with a modern touch.
$endgroup$
– Noah
7 hours ago
$begingroup$
I'd expect a "democratic feudalism" to be similar to an elective monarchy, except that the entire hierarchy is elected, rather than just the guy at the top.
$endgroup$
– Mark
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
I'd expect a "democratic feudalism" to be similar to an elective monarchy, except that the entire hierarchy is elected, rather than just the guy at the top.
$endgroup$
– Mark
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You can't have a feudal society and capitalism. Capitalism creates a plutocratic class that will fight against the feudal elite. If they fail the capitalism is crushed and feudalism remains. If they win, the feudal system is gone.
This happens because the social link in a capitalist society is money while in a feudal society are the oaths of fealty between the people. These two links can't coexist for long.
About democratic feudalism (but without capitalism): it can exist - the warlords may form noble republics where they elect their overlord and can veto decisions, something like the government of old Poland.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1. I agree. The weak link is combining capitalism with feudalism. Apart from what you said capitalism requires lots social and economic infrastructure to work, while feudalism is what states that lack such infrastructure use. Any overlap would be temporary and full of conflict. As for democracy, the warlords themselves might also be elected. Having soldiers, warriors or pirates elect their leaders is fairly common actually. But it would require that the fiefs are given to the military unit not individual people, so it would differ from feudalism as we know.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You can't have a feudal society and capitalism. Capitalism creates a plutocratic class that will fight against the feudal elite. If they fail the capitalism is crushed and feudalism remains. If they win, the feudal system is gone.
This happens because the social link in a capitalist society is money while in a feudal society are the oaths of fealty between the people. These two links can't coexist for long.
About democratic feudalism (but without capitalism): it can exist - the warlords may form noble republics where they elect their overlord and can veto decisions, something like the government of old Poland.
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
+1. I agree. The weak link is combining capitalism with feudalism. Apart from what you said capitalism requires lots social and economic infrastructure to work, while feudalism is what states that lack such infrastructure use. Any overlap would be temporary and full of conflict. As for democracy, the warlords themselves might also be elected. Having soldiers, warriors or pirates elect their leaders is fairly common actually. But it would require that the fiefs are given to the military unit not individual people, so it would differ from feudalism as we know.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You can't have a feudal society and capitalism. Capitalism creates a plutocratic class that will fight against the feudal elite. If they fail the capitalism is crushed and feudalism remains. If they win, the feudal system is gone.
This happens because the social link in a capitalist society is money while in a feudal society are the oaths of fealty between the people. These two links can't coexist for long.
About democratic feudalism (but without capitalism): it can exist - the warlords may form noble republics where they elect their overlord and can veto decisions, something like the government of old Poland.
$endgroup$
You can't have a feudal society and capitalism. Capitalism creates a plutocratic class that will fight against the feudal elite. If they fail the capitalism is crushed and feudalism remains. If they win, the feudal system is gone.
This happens because the social link in a capitalist society is money while in a feudal society are the oaths of fealty between the people. These two links can't coexist for long.
About democratic feudalism (but without capitalism): it can exist - the warlords may form noble republics where they elect their overlord and can veto decisions, something like the government of old Poland.
answered 6 hours ago
GeronimoGeronimo
1,143411
1,143411
1
$begingroup$
+1. I agree. The weak link is combining capitalism with feudalism. Apart from what you said capitalism requires lots social and economic infrastructure to work, while feudalism is what states that lack such infrastructure use. Any overlap would be temporary and full of conflict. As for democracy, the warlords themselves might also be elected. Having soldiers, warriors or pirates elect their leaders is fairly common actually. But it would require that the fiefs are given to the military unit not individual people, so it would differ from feudalism as we know.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
5 hours ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
+1. I agree. The weak link is combining capitalism with feudalism. Apart from what you said capitalism requires lots social and economic infrastructure to work, while feudalism is what states that lack such infrastructure use. Any overlap would be temporary and full of conflict. As for democracy, the warlords themselves might also be elected. Having soldiers, warriors or pirates elect their leaders is fairly common actually. But it would require that the fiefs are given to the military unit not individual people, so it would differ from feudalism as we know.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
5 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
+1. I agree. The weak link is combining capitalism with feudalism. Apart from what you said capitalism requires lots social and economic infrastructure to work, while feudalism is what states that lack such infrastructure use. Any overlap would be temporary and full of conflict. As for democracy, the warlords themselves might also be elected. Having soldiers, warriors or pirates elect their leaders is fairly common actually. But it would require that the fiefs are given to the military unit not individual people, so it would differ from feudalism as we know.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
5 hours ago
$begingroup$
+1. I agree. The weak link is combining capitalism with feudalism. Apart from what you said capitalism requires lots social and economic infrastructure to work, while feudalism is what states that lack such infrastructure use. Any overlap would be temporary and full of conflict. As for democracy, the warlords themselves might also be elected. Having soldiers, warriors or pirates elect their leaders is fairly common actually. But it would require that the fiefs are given to the military unit not individual people, so it would differ from feudalism as we know.
$endgroup$
– Ville Niemi
5 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A feudal system can have an "electoral system": for instance, usually the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was elected by a council of the most important feudal lord
Usually, a feudal system (but it happens for every system featuring a ruling oligarchy by birth) goes into crisis when a bourgeoisie (commoners who are able to accumulate a considerable wealth) rises. These new riches basically want to have the right to join the administration of the power. It happened for instance in the ancient Rome, in Italy and North Europe during the rise of the communes, in the 18th century France
In the Middle Age, usually the people in the countryside were under the rule of the feudal lords, while the people living in the cities were free from feudal rules, and could become "owners of themselves" and start a work as artisans or merchants, creating an embryo of bourgeoisie and this way triggering the rise of communes in late Middle Age.
So, in my idea a possibility would be a partial feudal-democratic system: the society is divided into free cities (under democratic rule) and rural countries (under feudal rule). Feudal lords should of course follow the laws and treat well their subjects, in order not to lose their peasants. At the same time, people who don't like democracy or feel that they would live better under the protection of a ruler could leave the cities and become subjects of the feudal lords.
Every time the emperor dies or resigns, the feudal lords and the representatives of the cities would elect a new emperor.
The problem is that at some point, the industrial revolution will happen (it seems unavoidable, in order to reach a present-day-like development), which would create an unbalance in the equilibrium between country and city (basically, cities will start to exponentially accumulate wealth and population).
To keep the feudal system, we can speculate that a kind of subdivision would spontaneously be established (feudal lords could found their own factories, more efficient thanks to the feudal labor, but less innovative with respect to urban factories), that could live up to present day.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A feudal system can have an "electoral system": for instance, usually the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was elected by a council of the most important feudal lord
Usually, a feudal system (but it happens for every system featuring a ruling oligarchy by birth) goes into crisis when a bourgeoisie (commoners who are able to accumulate a considerable wealth) rises. These new riches basically want to have the right to join the administration of the power. It happened for instance in the ancient Rome, in Italy and North Europe during the rise of the communes, in the 18th century France
In the Middle Age, usually the people in the countryside were under the rule of the feudal lords, while the people living in the cities were free from feudal rules, and could become "owners of themselves" and start a work as artisans or merchants, creating an embryo of bourgeoisie and this way triggering the rise of communes in late Middle Age.
So, in my idea a possibility would be a partial feudal-democratic system: the society is divided into free cities (under democratic rule) and rural countries (under feudal rule). Feudal lords should of course follow the laws and treat well their subjects, in order not to lose their peasants. At the same time, people who don't like democracy or feel that they would live better under the protection of a ruler could leave the cities and become subjects of the feudal lords.
Every time the emperor dies or resigns, the feudal lords and the representatives of the cities would elect a new emperor.
The problem is that at some point, the industrial revolution will happen (it seems unavoidable, in order to reach a present-day-like development), which would create an unbalance in the equilibrium between country and city (basically, cities will start to exponentially accumulate wealth and population).
To keep the feudal system, we can speculate that a kind of subdivision would spontaneously be established (feudal lords could found their own factories, more efficient thanks to the feudal labor, but less innovative with respect to urban factories), that could live up to present day.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A feudal system can have an "electoral system": for instance, usually the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was elected by a council of the most important feudal lord
Usually, a feudal system (but it happens for every system featuring a ruling oligarchy by birth) goes into crisis when a bourgeoisie (commoners who are able to accumulate a considerable wealth) rises. These new riches basically want to have the right to join the administration of the power. It happened for instance in the ancient Rome, in Italy and North Europe during the rise of the communes, in the 18th century France
In the Middle Age, usually the people in the countryside were under the rule of the feudal lords, while the people living in the cities were free from feudal rules, and could become "owners of themselves" and start a work as artisans or merchants, creating an embryo of bourgeoisie and this way triggering the rise of communes in late Middle Age.
So, in my idea a possibility would be a partial feudal-democratic system: the society is divided into free cities (under democratic rule) and rural countries (under feudal rule). Feudal lords should of course follow the laws and treat well their subjects, in order not to lose their peasants. At the same time, people who don't like democracy or feel that they would live better under the protection of a ruler could leave the cities and become subjects of the feudal lords.
Every time the emperor dies or resigns, the feudal lords and the representatives of the cities would elect a new emperor.
The problem is that at some point, the industrial revolution will happen (it seems unavoidable, in order to reach a present-day-like development), which would create an unbalance in the equilibrium between country and city (basically, cities will start to exponentially accumulate wealth and population).
To keep the feudal system, we can speculate that a kind of subdivision would spontaneously be established (feudal lords could found their own factories, more efficient thanks to the feudal labor, but less innovative with respect to urban factories), that could live up to present day.
$endgroup$
A feudal system can have an "electoral system": for instance, usually the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was elected by a council of the most important feudal lord
Usually, a feudal system (but it happens for every system featuring a ruling oligarchy by birth) goes into crisis when a bourgeoisie (commoners who are able to accumulate a considerable wealth) rises. These new riches basically want to have the right to join the administration of the power. It happened for instance in the ancient Rome, in Italy and North Europe during the rise of the communes, in the 18th century France
In the Middle Age, usually the people in the countryside were under the rule of the feudal lords, while the people living in the cities were free from feudal rules, and could become "owners of themselves" and start a work as artisans or merchants, creating an embryo of bourgeoisie and this way triggering the rise of communes in late Middle Age.
So, in my idea a possibility would be a partial feudal-democratic system: the society is divided into free cities (under democratic rule) and rural countries (under feudal rule). Feudal lords should of course follow the laws and treat well their subjects, in order not to lose their peasants. At the same time, people who don't like democracy or feel that they would live better under the protection of a ruler could leave the cities and become subjects of the feudal lords.
Every time the emperor dies or resigns, the feudal lords and the representatives of the cities would elect a new emperor.
The problem is that at some point, the industrial revolution will happen (it seems unavoidable, in order to reach a present-day-like development), which would create an unbalance in the equilibrium between country and city (basically, cities will start to exponentially accumulate wealth and population).
To keep the feudal system, we can speculate that a kind of subdivision would spontaneously be established (feudal lords could found their own factories, more efficient thanks to the feudal labor, but less innovative with respect to urban factories), that could live up to present day.
answered 6 hours ago
McTroopersMcTroopers
1,1707
1,1707
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I could see all three of these factors dovetailing quite nicely (if you can use dovetail for 3 things...).
Feudalism
This gives us classes: lords, vassals, peasants, royalty, etc. At each level you receive different rights, privileges and responsibilities. Perhaps only lords can vote or maybe all classes can vote but only lords and royalty can own land. These distinctions are up to you and don't greatly impact the other two aspects.
Democracy
You don't vote for king! And maybe even prince, financial adviser or some number of lords. Again, there is a large amount of sway you can exert here depending on just how democratic you want your world to be.
Capitalism
Instead of marriage, knighthood or other methods of moving from class to class, you move up in rank with money. This isn't to say that you can become king this way as that still requires a vote (but money does tend to help with that). As you accumulate money you gain rights thanks to moving up in class. Poor peasant Bill Gates makes himself a lord of a minor or major kingdom (depending on where you draw the voting line).
All together you have what might look shockingly like our modern society except that we have King Trump and he doesn't just pretend to wield absolute power, he does and he's king for life. Instead of money allowing you to influence political decisions, it allows you to make them. Like all political systems, the flaws will become apparent the longer it's around and this system would by no means be perfect.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I could see all three of these factors dovetailing quite nicely (if you can use dovetail for 3 things...).
Feudalism
This gives us classes: lords, vassals, peasants, royalty, etc. At each level you receive different rights, privileges and responsibilities. Perhaps only lords can vote or maybe all classes can vote but only lords and royalty can own land. These distinctions are up to you and don't greatly impact the other two aspects.
Democracy
You don't vote for king! And maybe even prince, financial adviser or some number of lords. Again, there is a large amount of sway you can exert here depending on just how democratic you want your world to be.
Capitalism
Instead of marriage, knighthood or other methods of moving from class to class, you move up in rank with money. This isn't to say that you can become king this way as that still requires a vote (but money does tend to help with that). As you accumulate money you gain rights thanks to moving up in class. Poor peasant Bill Gates makes himself a lord of a minor or major kingdom (depending on where you draw the voting line).
All together you have what might look shockingly like our modern society except that we have King Trump and he doesn't just pretend to wield absolute power, he does and he's king for life. Instead of money allowing you to influence political decisions, it allows you to make them. Like all political systems, the flaws will become apparent the longer it's around and this system would by no means be perfect.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I could see all three of these factors dovetailing quite nicely (if you can use dovetail for 3 things...).
Feudalism
This gives us classes: lords, vassals, peasants, royalty, etc. At each level you receive different rights, privileges and responsibilities. Perhaps only lords can vote or maybe all classes can vote but only lords and royalty can own land. These distinctions are up to you and don't greatly impact the other two aspects.
Democracy
You don't vote for king! And maybe even prince, financial adviser or some number of lords. Again, there is a large amount of sway you can exert here depending on just how democratic you want your world to be.
Capitalism
Instead of marriage, knighthood or other methods of moving from class to class, you move up in rank with money. This isn't to say that you can become king this way as that still requires a vote (but money does tend to help with that). As you accumulate money you gain rights thanks to moving up in class. Poor peasant Bill Gates makes himself a lord of a minor or major kingdom (depending on where you draw the voting line).
All together you have what might look shockingly like our modern society except that we have King Trump and he doesn't just pretend to wield absolute power, he does and he's king for life. Instead of money allowing you to influence political decisions, it allows you to make them. Like all political systems, the flaws will become apparent the longer it's around and this system would by no means be perfect.
$endgroup$
I could see all three of these factors dovetailing quite nicely (if you can use dovetail for 3 things...).
Feudalism
This gives us classes: lords, vassals, peasants, royalty, etc. At each level you receive different rights, privileges and responsibilities. Perhaps only lords can vote or maybe all classes can vote but only lords and royalty can own land. These distinctions are up to you and don't greatly impact the other two aspects.
Democracy
You don't vote for king! And maybe even prince, financial adviser or some number of lords. Again, there is a large amount of sway you can exert here depending on just how democratic you want your world to be.
Capitalism
Instead of marriage, knighthood or other methods of moving from class to class, you move up in rank with money. This isn't to say that you can become king this way as that still requires a vote (but money does tend to help with that). As you accumulate money you gain rights thanks to moving up in class. Poor peasant Bill Gates makes himself a lord of a minor or major kingdom (depending on where you draw the voting line).
All together you have what might look shockingly like our modern society except that we have King Trump and he doesn't just pretend to wield absolute power, he does and he's king for life. Instead of money allowing you to influence political decisions, it allows you to make them. Like all political systems, the flaws will become apparent the longer it's around and this system would by no means be perfect.
answered 5 hours ago
SpartacusSpartacus
211
211
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Feudalism has three main parts, lords, lands, and vassals. The lords own the lands and lords owe their loyalty to other lords supplying mutual military and economic support. The peasantry are tied to the land. Nothing says the lords can't be elected by the peasants they rule. Involving complex capitalism would make things a little more complex. A corporation might fit in with the lords, owning land and the workers on it while pledging loyalty to a lord or other corporation.
A strict social hierarchy is not necessarily a requirement of feudalism though.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Feudalism has three main parts, lords, lands, and vassals. The lords own the lands and lords owe their loyalty to other lords supplying mutual military and economic support. The peasantry are tied to the land. Nothing says the lords can't be elected by the peasants they rule. Involving complex capitalism would make things a little more complex. A corporation might fit in with the lords, owning land and the workers on it while pledging loyalty to a lord or other corporation.
A strict social hierarchy is not necessarily a requirement of feudalism though.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Feudalism has three main parts, lords, lands, and vassals. The lords own the lands and lords owe their loyalty to other lords supplying mutual military and economic support. The peasantry are tied to the land. Nothing says the lords can't be elected by the peasants they rule. Involving complex capitalism would make things a little more complex. A corporation might fit in with the lords, owning land and the workers on it while pledging loyalty to a lord or other corporation.
A strict social hierarchy is not necessarily a requirement of feudalism though.
$endgroup$
Feudalism has three main parts, lords, lands, and vassals. The lords own the lands and lords owe their loyalty to other lords supplying mutual military and economic support. The peasantry are tied to the land. Nothing says the lords can't be elected by the peasants they rule. Involving complex capitalism would make things a little more complex. A corporation might fit in with the lords, owning land and the workers on it while pledging loyalty to a lord or other corporation.
A strict social hierarchy is not necessarily a requirement of feudalism though.
edited 7 hours ago
answered 7 hours ago
GiruŠatukuGiruŠatuku
11218
11218
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Plenty of countries like that right now. So just scale it up. Most of the independent polynesian nations are democratic oligarchies. It all comes down to control of resources.
How it works is that the elite class (chiefs) controls all the land, businesses, govt etc,. by law, so all govt CEO's and politicians are exclusively from an elite class with no one else eligible to even apply.
Private ownership of land is not common and very expensive so most people live on land controlled at all points by elites, in theory they can do anything they want. But in practice disagreeing or voting against the chiefs wishes could get them and their whole extended family legally banished from their village and therefore without the resources they need to feed themselves.
So while these are recognised democracies, it may be very different to what other countries have.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Plenty of countries like that right now. So just scale it up. Most of the independent polynesian nations are democratic oligarchies. It all comes down to control of resources.
How it works is that the elite class (chiefs) controls all the land, businesses, govt etc,. by law, so all govt CEO's and politicians are exclusively from an elite class with no one else eligible to even apply.
Private ownership of land is not common and very expensive so most people live on land controlled at all points by elites, in theory they can do anything they want. But in practice disagreeing or voting against the chiefs wishes could get them and their whole extended family legally banished from their village and therefore without the resources they need to feed themselves.
So while these are recognised democracies, it may be very different to what other countries have.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Plenty of countries like that right now. So just scale it up. Most of the independent polynesian nations are democratic oligarchies. It all comes down to control of resources.
How it works is that the elite class (chiefs) controls all the land, businesses, govt etc,. by law, so all govt CEO's and politicians are exclusively from an elite class with no one else eligible to even apply.
Private ownership of land is not common and very expensive so most people live on land controlled at all points by elites, in theory they can do anything they want. But in practice disagreeing or voting against the chiefs wishes could get them and their whole extended family legally banished from their village and therefore without the resources they need to feed themselves.
So while these are recognised democracies, it may be very different to what other countries have.
$endgroup$
Plenty of countries like that right now. So just scale it up. Most of the independent polynesian nations are democratic oligarchies. It all comes down to control of resources.
How it works is that the elite class (chiefs) controls all the land, businesses, govt etc,. by law, so all govt CEO's and politicians are exclusively from an elite class with no one else eligible to even apply.
Private ownership of land is not common and very expensive so most people live on land controlled at all points by elites, in theory they can do anything they want. But in practice disagreeing or voting against the chiefs wishes could get them and their whole extended family legally banished from their village and therefore without the resources they need to feed themselves.
So while these are recognised democracies, it may be very different to what other countries have.
answered 9 mins ago
KilisiKilisi
13.8k12261
13.8k12261
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1
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What you are describing seems to be more of a oligarchy and not a feudal society.
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– Sebastian
8 hours ago
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A cynical person might suggest that societies only seem stable, and most stay that way due to lucky circumstances...
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– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
1
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Anyway, I don't really have enough to form a useful answer, but you might consider a society that has a "voting class" to be a step towards your theoretical society. In the limit, you get something like the prince-electors.
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– Starfish Prime
7 hours ago
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You can get a feudal Republic, but not a true feudal Democracy (because the latter, unlike the former, implies Egalitarianism)
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– Alexander
6 hours ago
1
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The words "feudalism" and "government" are barely compatible. There were indeed feudal societies which had governments, but they are not what you are thinking of. (Or maybe they are? Were you thinking of the Ottoman Empire?) However, the words "feudalism" and "capitalism" are utterly incompatible. A society is either feudal or capitalist. It's like asking for a communist society with widespread capitalism.
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– AlexP
4 hours ago