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Well, so was the USA. Seems like wealth inequality is not such a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Chattel slavery and the Russian serf system were very different. Notably, the plantation owners weren't themselves bound into feudal service to an emperor, they got to have a "modern" relationship with a state.

Ah, OG whataboutism!

> whataboutism

Er, no. 19th century USA was a pretty advanced (technologically and culturally) civilization and yet with an extremely backward system of feudalism even by bronze age standards.

Seems political progress is not so important after all.

Er, yes, if your entire defense is pointing at someone else.

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