Which term describes the characteristics and social structures of a preindustrial city?

The term that accurately describes the characteristics and social structures of a preindustrial city is considered to be a closed class system. In preindustrial societies, social stratification is typically rigid, with limited mobility between different social classes. These classes are often defined by ascribed statuses, such as family background, caste, or occupation, where individuals are born into a certain social position that largely determines their life chances, roles, and relationships within the community.

In a closed class system, the societal structures reinforce the distinctions between classes, making it difficult for individuals to move beyond the social status they were born into. As a result, the roles and expectations for individuals within these classes are clearly delineated, shaping economic practices and relationships in ways that reflect deep-rooted traditions and hierarchies typical of preindustrial contexts. The other terms, such as open class system or fluid social hierarchy, suggest a greater degree of mobility and change that is more characteristic of industrialized or modern societies rather than preindustrial ones.