Feudalisms, a term that refers to the social, economic, and political system that characterized medieval Europe, has several antonyms that describe different systems. The modern era has seen the replacement of feudalism by more democratic forms of governance, such as democracy, republicanism, or socialism. These systems emphasize citizens' participation in the decision-making process, free elections, and equality regardless of social status. Capitalism, a system in which private individuals own and control the means of production and distribution, also contrasts with feudalism. In contrast, social systems such as communism or tribalism also reject feudalism's hierarchical structures and emphasize more communal living and sharing of resources.