The Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism

Asok Sen Marx warned against a straightforward application of his conclusions in "Capital" to experiences outside western Europe. Marx's method of understanding historical development is tied to many different considerations of structures and processes. This is evident in the debate regarding the transition from feudalism to capitalism. The main features of this debate are presented here, especially the recent contribution of Robert Brenner which reveals significant variations in the patterns of feudal-capitalist transition in western Europe.