I like using the word "neo-feudalism" to describe what is happening because it's a useful shorthand.  Most people don't know jack about feudalism, they only know it was 'Bad' and they usually bring-up serfs.  At that point I can point-out serfs were tied to the land whereas today people are tied into peonage: "A system by which debtors are bound in servitude to their creditors until their debts are paid."

When you get right down to it, under feudalism the economic basis of the system was land; who had it; who controlled it.  Under neo-feudalism the economic basis is money; who has it; who controls it.  And for my purposes, that's good enough.

For me, the phrase is about constructing a emotionally compelling Narrative in which to hang Messages.  

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre