What is the domination system, and what was it like in Jesus' time?

Answer 1

It is the way in which one sector of society -- the dominant one-- gainst mastery over the other sectors through force, economic control and the oppression of those beneath them.
In the time of Jesus, the Romans were really in charge and asserted their domination by charging heavy taxes, using military force to quell any rebellion and imposing their legal system on the population.
Domination systems are still a controlling force in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The domination system of military power and violence, the domination system of economic oppression, and the domination system of human degradation ravage the West Bank and Israel.
http://www.united.edu/portrait/social.shtml
http://followingjesus.org/vision/vision_jesus.htm

Answer 2

"Domination system" is a term coined by theologian Walter Wink. I never heard it used by historians.

See : "Context: Social/Cultural World of Jesus", United Theological Seminary : http://www.united.edu/portrait/social.shtml