Feodalismin

Feodalismin is a theoretical framework in political sociology and economic anthropology that interprets certain modern social relations as the continuation or restructuring of feudal patterns. The term combines a reference to feudal structures with -ism to indicate a system of organized patronage, reciprocal obligation, and rank-based authority within contemporary institutions. Proponents describe feodalismin as both a descriptive lens and a normative critique of governance and economic organization.

Core features include patronage-based governance, where patrons confer protection, resources, or legitimacy in exchange for loyalty or services; land- and resource-centered ties that anchor social bonds through control of land, housing, or key commodities; personalist authority that emphasizes networks and individuals over formal rules; and reciprocity as a central mechanism, making social and economic relations bilateral and durable.

In a modern setting, feodalismin is discussed as a way to understand entrenched power asymmetries and opaque decision-making, including within state agencies, corporations, or large-scale organizations. Some analyses view it as a historical perspective that illuminates persistent patron-client dynamics, while others treat it as a cautionary model about the risks of reintroducing feudal-like obligations into public life or corporate governance.

Critics argue the framework can romanticize servitude and undervalue formal rights and equal protection under law. They emphasize the importance of rule of law, transparency, and inclusive participation as counterweights. Variants of the concept may focus on digital-era networks or agrarian ties to illustrate how feodalismin manifests across different sectors. Related concepts include feudalism, clientelism, and patronage networks.