In a free market economy, anyone with determination could “get rich.” It is what gave rise to The American Dream (e.g., a house, a white picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a loyal dog). This is different from the feudal societies of the past, when only certain people could ever get rich. Feudalism is a type of cronyism, feudal lords gave fealty to a king.
If the king wanted local persons “shaken down” (or shaken up), then the noble, lord, or baron would pay those common people a “visit” and he would remind them who is in charge. In return for putting fear into the hearts of the local people, the king granted noble estates. By being loyal hooligans, feudal barons were guaranteed land and riches.
But feudalism is the opposite of a free market economy. There is wealth mobility in free market economies (anyone can get rich), but wealth stability in feudalism — only cronies can ever get rich. A sign of feudalism shows up in the ratio of riches (wealth) to income. Under feudalism, held wealth dwarfs any earned income, such as wages.
Hellbound and Down 