The document discusses the social and economic systems of medieval Europe, including the feudal system and the hierarchical "great chain of being" social structure. It also describes the rise of nation-states and new social and political philosophies in Europe between the 15th-18th centuries, as the feudal system declined and was replaced by emerging concepts of nationalism, sovereignty and social contract theory. Key developments included the age of exploration, scientific revolution, Protestant Reformation, growth of literacy and independent thought, and new forms of governance like absolutism.