Gideon Sjoberg

The Preindustrial City

In the preindustrial cities of medieval Europe and of other parts of the world certain elements (e.g., economic, class, and family systems) are found which are common to all urban communities. But their form in the preindustrial city differs markedly from that in the industrial city. The difference can be attributed primarily to industrialization itself.

Folk and "Feudal" Societies

A typology of the feudal society in contradistinction to that of the folk order is constructed. Although both are static and have a sacred-value orientation, the feudal society has far more complex stratification and institutional systems. An understanding of the differences between these societies is of crucial significance in interpreting the effects of present-day industrialization and urbanization in many parts of the world.