What type of economic system provided both defense and self-sufficiency in medieval Europe?

The correct answer is feudalism, which was the dominant economic system in medieval Europe. Feudalism was characterized by a hierarchical structure where land was exchanged for military service and loyalty. Lords owned large estates and granted portions of their land, known as fiefs, to vassals in exchange for protection and service. This system created a network of obligations that fostered both defense and self-sufficiency within local communities.

In this context, self-sufficiency was vital since many feudal estates were designed to be economically independent. Peasants, or serfs, worked the land and produced the agricultural goods necessary for their survival and that of their lords. Consequently, each manor could largely meet its own needs without requiring extensive trade networks, thus contributing to the stability and security that were essential during times of frequent conflicts and invasions.

Other economic systems listed, like capitalism, socialism, and the barter system, do not align with the characteristics that defined medieval European society. Capitalism emerged later, primarily in the Renaissance, focusing on free markets and individual profit. Socialism emphasizes collective ownership and distribution of resources, which was not a feature of feudalistic society. The barter system, while it existed historically, was not the formal economic structure