Neo-medievalism
Neo-medievalism (also called neomedievalism or new medievalism) is a concept used in two main fields: political theory and cultural studies. In politics, it describes modern world conditions that resemble parts of the Middle Ages, especially when traditional states and borders become unclear or unstable. In culture, it refers to how people today reuse and reinterpret medieval ideas and imagery in books, films, games, and other media.
In political theory, neo-medievalism started with Hedley Bull’s idea that globalization weakens the old idea of complete state sovereignty. He suggested we might move toward a universal political order similar to Western Christendom in the Middle Ages, where no single ruler held full power and loyalties overlapped among states, religious authorities, and other centers of influence. This view sees globalization as creating a system with many non-state actors and overlapping authorities, not one all-powerful government.
Over time, the picture has grown more complex. The European Union, regional and devolved governments (like Scotland or Catalonia), private military companies, multinational corporations, and worldwide religious movements all show power operating beyond any one state. The rise of digital networks further blurs borders, with some arguing cyberspace acts outside national law. Scholars like Stephen Kobrin and Anthony Arend have argued that these trends push international relations toward a neo-medieval style of order, which would reshape international law and sovereignty.
Not everyone agrees. Critics say neo-medievalism can be used to justify questionable policies or to downplay state responsibility. Some scholars list features of a neomedieval world: many competing institutions; power not tied to any one territory; uneven development of new spaces and loyalties; fragmented identities; stronger property rights; and the spread of law-evading “grey zones” and illicit economies.
In culture, neomedievalism explains why medieval themes remain popular. Umberto Eco helped popularize the term in the 1980s, showing how modern culture mixes historical accuracy with fantasy. Eco and others describe a range of representations from faithful history to imaginative reinterpretation, which he called “Ten Little Middle Ages” categories. Today, medieval ideas appear in movies, music, novels, and especially video games (such as Assassin’s Creed), helping to shape how people imagine power, loyalty, and society.
The idea is also used to analyze politics after events like the post-9/11 era, where some argue that medieval imagery and language have been used to justify foreign policy and undermine traditional notions of sovereignty and international law. Some writers see this as a real trend, while others warn that focusing on medieval metaphors can obscure practical policy issues. More recently, scholars like Jorge Majfud have written about neomedievalism and neo-feudalism in contemporary politics and economics.
In short, neo-medievalism describes a world where ancient patterns of overlapping authorities and shifting loyalties reappear in modern politics and culture, helping to explain both global changes and the continued allure of medieval imagery.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 04:14 (CET).