Middle Ages Regents Practice

Which political system is characterized by decentralized government and loyalty-based service?

1. Oligarchy

2. Absolutism

3. Feudalism

4. Democracy

The correct answer is: Feudalism

Feudalism is the political system characterized by a decentralized structure of government and a system of loyalty-based service. During the Middle Ages, feudalism emerged as a response to the need for security and land management. In this system, land (or fiefs) was granted by a lord to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty. This arrangement created a hierarchical relationship where the vassals owed allegiance to their lord, while the lord offered protection and land in return. In feudal society, power was not concentrated in a central authority, but rather distributed among various lords and their vassals, resulting in a patchwork of territories each governed by different local leaders. This decentralization meant that local lords held significant power over their vassals and the people living on their land, reinforcing the loyalty-based aspects of feudal relationships. The other options illustrate systems with different characteristics. An oligarchy involves a small group of people holding power, which lacks the decentralized nature of feudalism. Absolutism centers on a singular authority where the monarch wields complete control over governance, contrasting sharply with feudalism's decentralized power. Democracy is defined by the participation of citizens in governance and decision-making, promoting equality and representation rather