society - an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

feudal system, feudalism - the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th C; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war

patriarchy, patriarchate - a form of social organization in which a male is the family head and title is traced through the male line

matriarchate, matriarchy - a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line

meritocracy - a form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects

form of government, political system - the members of a social organization who are in power

class structure - the organization of classes within a society

separatism, segregation - a social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups

system, scheme - a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole; "a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going"