Question 2
(a) What is communalism?
(b) State four differences between feudalism and communalism.
Observation
This was a popular question and many of the candidates who answered the question performed above average. They understood the demands of the question and scored high marks. Some candidates failed in part (b) because of skimpy answers. However, the candidates were expected to write the following points in order to score high marks:
(a) Communalism is a socio-political system based on common ownership of land in which the sense of togetherness in the community is the factor of unity. It is also a system in which the mode of production, the land and what it produced belonged to all members of the community and are equitably distributed or shared.
(b)(i) There is feudal lord in feudalism while in communalism there is no lordship.
(ii) In feudalism, land is a symbol for security while in communalism land is used as a means of economic benefit only.
(iii) The land belongs to the lord in feudalism while in communalism the land is communally owned.
(iv) The feudal system has conquest and subjugation as its feature while communalism, it is based on peace and tranquillity.
(v) Feudalism is a more advanced political system while communalism is operated in a primitive, less advanced society.
(vi) There is segregation/class in social status in feudalism while in communalism there is equality in social status.
(vii) There is discrimination in income distribution in feudalism. In communalism there is equitable distribution.
(viii) In feudalism, there is compulsory service of the vassals/serfs to the lords while in communalism, there is no compulsory service.