Help Please: major obstacles to change in a feudal society? I'm struggling!!?

Question

Thanks very much to everyone who has answered! It is very much appreciated.

Answer 1

Well, a feudal society is very regulated - every one is kept in their place. The poor peasants have no money, they're all using the bartering system to get what they want, the only way for people to make money is to be a merchant (ie sell on products made by other people), but you can't buy any good to sell if you don't have any money! Also they all live in very small towns - every one knows that you are a peasant and you can't pretend to be someone else. There is no transport so you can't get away from your village and even if you walked away, you'd turn up in the next village looking shabby and everyone would be suspicious of you because you're an outsider.

So -
lack of physical currency
lack of possessions
lack of control over personal circumstances
lack of transport
small population
lack of control over means of production (ie they don't own the things that are making money)
attitudes (peasants deserve to be poor)

It wasn't until people started to become merchants that any social mobility was possible. It all comes down to money in the end!

Answer 2

power, this the major factor to change where power over the many is held by the few,
picture this you wish to marry,you are held in serfdom, the control over you is held by the lord of the manor in wich you live then to earl or duke or baron ,then to the king, between all those you have the clergy, the over seers of the moral law of the land, which are also the only educators, to marry within your parish is hard first you must appease the church ,the lord of the manor and ultimately all above them and anyone of them can object to your union. they generally did not object because the more children you had the more serfs were available to work the land and pay taxes and tighes to the church.
Children were taken at an early age into bonded apprenticeships
to work for low pay whilst they learn ed a craft or skill that benefited the lord of the manor, this is the control that was wielded over the peasants and all parts of their lives under a feudal system, another part of that control was the payment in goods to the church and the lord of the manor any agriculture that was available for sale was taxed. every aspect of their lives was subject to some form of control. even down to the banning of the game of golf, because it interfered with the archery practise, that the serf was duty bound to complete.

Answer 3

You only need to look at the present state of society to see the feuds that are present within it. Look at the problems diversity has caused. It does not work. The many different cultures and religions, to name but a few, have caused great polarisation.
The state of poverty, and the so called 'underclass' who claim benefits. Drugs have become a major problem, causing a rise in crime. Read the politics section in the newspapers, particularly broadsheets. A good book to start with is Sociology, Themes and Perspectives by Michael Haralambos.

Answer 4

Basically in a feudal society, the Haves exploit the Havenots and therefore are adverse to change because it will affect them in a negative way.
Feudal also implies "outdated" which means conservatism, lack of forward thinking, reliance on existing customs and practice, reluctance to inovate or to take calculated risks, all of which prevent progress.The cosy slippers syndrome. Society is therefore adverse to change as it feels insecure with entrepreneuralism and is afraid of the shock of the new.

This is to give you a few ideas, now get on with it, lad!

Answer 5

Social attitudes and expectations
Feudal lords and the monarchy, who hold the power
Poverty among those who'd have to exact the change (the plebs who need it)

Answer 6

First things first -- do you understand what a feudal society is?