Author
Home > Sociology > What is the Difference Between Feudalism and Democracy?

Guilherme Mazui

•4 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Feudalism and Democracy?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Feudalism and democracy are two distinct forms of governance with different characteristics and structures. Here are the key differences between them:

  1. Definition: Feudalism is a type of government organized on the basis of rank, where lords or landowners have ruling authority over peasants. Democracy, on the other hand, is a government structure in which the general public gets the chance to elect members for the ruling of the country.
  2. Ideologies: Feudalism is an economic, social, legal, and political relationship that prevailed in medieval Europe, and it is synonymous with the social structure that existed in medieval Europe. Democracy promotes equality, individual freedom, and the possibility for the general public to depose elected representatives if they are not satisfied with their performance.
  3. Structure: In feudalism, kings assigned lands to lords, who then had ruling authority over the peasants living on those lands. In democracy, common people get the chance to elect their representatives for the ruling of the country.
  4. Loyalty: In feudal societies, loyalty of the members of society was towards individuals, like knights were loyal to the lords, and lords were loyal to the crown. In democracy, the loyalty of every member of the society is directed towards the state, and no individual, no matter how powerful, can come in between the state and its citizens.
  5. Influence of religion: Religion, especially the Catholic Church, played a significant role in the political relationships between individuals in feudal societies. In democracy, the influence of religion on political relationships is limited.

In summary, feudalism is a hierarchical system of governance based on land ownership and loyalty to individual lords, while democracy is a political structure that promotes equality, individual freedom, and the election of representatives by the general public.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Feudalism and Democracy?
  • Comparative Table: Feudalism vs Democracy

    • Comparative Table: Feudalism vs Democracy

    Here is a table comparing Feudalism and Democracy:

    Feature Feudalism Democracy
    Definition A social structure in which lords or landowners had ruling authority over peasants who worked their lands. A government structure in which the general public gets the chance to elect their representatives for the ruling of the country.
    Origin Emerged in medieval Europe as an economic, social, legal, and political relationship. Originated from the Greek city-states and evolved over time, with the United States and France being early examples of democratic governments.
    Structure military hierarchy with lords controlling their own land. Common people elect representatives for the ruling of the country.
    Loyalty Loyalty was towards individuals, such as knights being loyal to lords and lords being loyal to the crown. Loyalty is directed towards the state, with no individual being able to come between the state and its citizens.
    Religion Religion, particularly Christianity, played an important role in the sustenance of feudal societies. Religion and state are separated, and people have the freedom to practice their faith.
    Economic Growth Feudalism limited industrialization and economic growth. Democracy promotes industrialization and economic growth.
    Present Day Feudalism is an age-old tradition and is hardly practiced in the contemporary world. Democracy is prevalent in many countries around the world.
    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.