feudalism

Feudalism in Europe and Japan
By Svea
Feudal System developed independently in two different societies that were very far away. This might prove that feudalism is in human nature.
Social
In Japan and Europe there were more similarities than differences in their feudal societies. The social system for both Japan and Europe was based on militaristic hierarchies. However there were differences in the layers of the hierarchies. Japenese heiarchy went as this-Emperor, Prince,nobility, court officials, shoguns, war lords, Samurai, and peasants. The European heiarchy went as this-king, nobles,knights, and peasants. There was also a heiarchy within the nobles, such as earls, counts... There was also a seperate heiarchy in both regions for religion.
Economy

For economy in the feudal system of both japan and Europe they were both both militaristic and regionalised. There were differences, however, like in Japan Samurai got money and in Europe Knights got land. Also, in Japan merchants were very low class in Japan. But in Europe merchants were relatively high class with more freedom. Another similarity would be that the two were both based on agricultural systems.
The reason why Europe valued merchants more could be that during the time of the middle ages, the merchants were the ones bringing in new things from different land that improved Europe. Not a lot of inventing was going n during this time for Europe so thet depended on the merchants a great deal. Japan had philosophers and inventors, so they were pretty well off, and did'nt need merchants as much as Europe.

Modern Consequence
These systems for both social and economical differences has influenced modern government. Like in democracy,with pork-barreling, and Parliament, which has a separation of powers.
Feudalism has been around since the middle ages, and not only affected Europe and Japan, but also Portugal, Tibet, China, Armenia and also India. With this similar system in affect so vastly around the globe, perhaps it shows human nature naturally falling into a hierarchy , social and economic system.