To me the feudalism vs. capitalism idea refers to an emphasis on inheritance and low mobility between financial/social classes. Capitalism doesn’t have to work the way it does now in the US, but alas, this is how it is now. Sure, it sucked 100 years ago also, but it’s getting steadily worse.

I really don’t think Doctorow is brainwashed by capitalist propaganda. He has steadily and consistently opposed the excesses and abuses of the system.