California Teacher Credentialing Examination (CSET) Practice Test 2025 - Free CSET Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer is feudalism, which is a social and economic system that dominated medieval Europe. In feudalism, the structure is based on a hierarchy of land ownership and obligations. Lords held large amounts of land, known as fiefs, and would grant portions of their land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service. This reciprocal arrangement was central to the operation of feudal society. Lords relied on vassals to provide soldiers for their armies, while vassals relied on the land they were granted to support their own households and knights.

The varying numbers of lords and vassals within this system created a complex social structure characterized by bonds of loyalty and service. This system also facilitated local governance, as lords had significant control over their territories, managing everything from justice to economic production.

Other systems mentioned, like capitalism and socialism, do not fit this description. Capitalism is characterized by private ownership of production and a market-driven economy, while socialism focuses on collective ownership or regulation of production and wealth distribution. Direct democracy refers to a system of governance where citizens directly participate in decision-making, which does not involve the loyalty and service relationships found in feudalism.