By: Stephen Leeb
In recent history, political and economic systems have been held in question by many, and one of the best ways of examining the present can be to see how things used to be. When looking backward, much can be learned about not only what these systems looked like, but also how each of them eventually led up to where we are today. One of the most valuable comparisons that can be drawn between past and present systems is the shift from feudalism to the early roots of democracy and capitalism, which took place in England over the course of the Middle Ages, into the Renaissance and beyond. During this period of change, many characteristics of life were altered, with some of the most prominent being the shift from communal life and the exchange of goods and services, to budding individualism and democratic undertones.
One of the best ways to analyze these shifts in society is through the writings of the time. Literature has always been a fantastic way to get a sense of what life was like at any given point, and this is no different. As a result, poems such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight really exemplify life under feudalism, which is a system that entails:
the existence of bonds among lords and free dependents (termed [vassals]…), which involved the lords’ granting property called ‘fiefs’ in return for service (military, financial, and/or advisory)” (feudalism).
In essence, feudalism was a system that was heavily invested in a hierarchical community, with many tenants renting land in exchange for goods and services, being bound to a king through duty. Examples of both this system of exchange and the presence of a communal identity are seen throughout Gawain.
This is contrasted by the subtle shift into early capitalism and democracy, which was hallmarked by elements like individuality and the ability for individuals to provide political input. One of the best writings to exemplify this shift in action is John Milton’s Paradise Lost, which was written during the political sea change that was the election of Cromwell in Britain, making it a perfect example of the early democracy and capitalism that was emerging at this time. In this context, capitalism is best described as a system where
profit [plays] a growing role and [mobilizes] wealth” (Braunstein).
Integral to capitalism is the idea of individualism and a system of exchange based around profit. In conjunction with this is the concept of democracy which
refers to political systems in which large numbers of voters select representatives and officials for leading legislative, executive, and sometimes judicial offices, either directly or indirectly (as in parliamentary systems for prime ministers), and in which conditions permit some open competition among different candidates and, usually, political parties” (Stearns).
In short, democracy also places emphasis on individualism, and the actions and responsibilities of the individual, which was a notable shift from the communal life of feudalism.
Overall, it is important to notice the shift between past and present prevailing systems. This was a change that took place slowly over hundreds of years, and this is reflected in a large period of murkiness, where the systems are blurred together. As a result, it is important to note that while Gawain and Paradise Lost do both represent different time periods with different dispositions, they also have a few shared elements because of the fact that historically, great societal changes have slowly evolved over time. For more information on the shifting of political and economic systems in the context of the literature of the time, please click below:
Works Cited
Braunstein, P. (2002). capital, capitalism. In Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. : James Clarke & Co. Retrieved 22 Nov. 2019, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780227679319.001.0001/acref-9780227679319-e-469.
“feudalism.” The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages. : Oxford University Press, , 2010. Oxford Reference. Date Accessed 24 Nov. 2019 <https://www-oxfordreference-com.ezproxy-eres.up.edu/view/10.1093/acref/9780198662624.001.0001/acref-9780198662624-e-2158>.
“File:Medieval Parliament of England.png.” Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 6 Nov 2018, 18:46 UTC. 25 Nov 2019, 06:03 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Medieval_Parliament_of_England.png&oldid=326755902>.
“File:Mittelalterliches Ständebild 15. Jahrhundert.png.” Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 6 Jun 2018, 09:52 UTC. 25 Nov 2019, 06:05 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Mittelalterliches_St%C3%A4ndebild_15._Jahrhundert.png&oldid=304876911>
Stearns, P., & Shehata, S. (2008). Democracy. In Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World. : Oxford University Press. Retrieved 22 Nov. 2019, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195176322.001.0001/acref-9780195176322-e-424.