WAEC Government 2010 Theory question 101

Theory question 101

Political Ideologies

(a) Define feudalism.
(b) State any five demerits of feudalism.

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Model answer

(a) Feudalism was the medieval social, political and economic system based on land, in which the king granted land to lords (nobles) in return for military service and loyalty, and serfs/vassals worked the land in return for protection.
(b) Any five: exploitation of serfs by lords; weakened central authority/sovereignty since each lord held power; frequent wars among lords; lack of freedom and rights for serfs, who were tied to the land; insecurity of land tenure for tenants; rigid class system with no social mobility; injustice since lords judged disputes involving themselves; slowed economic progress and trade.

Explanation

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