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Types of societies
The document discusses the characteristics of different types of societies according to various sociologists including Morgan, Comte, Spencer, and Lenski. It describes the key attributes of hunting and gathering societies, pastoral societies, horticultural societies, agricultural societies, and industrial societies. The summaries focus on nomadic nature, social institutions, division of labor, and how levels of complexity and organization increased across the societal types.
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Types of societies
- 1. Group Members Sehrish Bushra SairaSafdar Sundus Mukhtar Sidra Zahoor Farhana Shah
- 2. Macro sociology- It refers to the study of large scale social systems, which makes comparative analysis of societies. The classical sociologists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries made great efforts in developing “MASTER SOCIAL TYPES”.
- 3. Morgan’s Classification Morganin his last major work “Ancient Society” divided all societies into three groups- savage, barbarian and civilized. His argument was that human societies progressed from savagery through barbarism to civilization.
- 4. Comte’s Classification Frenchphilosopher Auguste Comte assumption was that “ all societies passed through distinct stages of belief or ideology, evolving from the lower to the higher stages.” His scheme consisted of types of societies namely, (i) Military society (ii) Legal Society (iii) Industrial Society
- 5. Spencer’s Classification HerbertSpencer also constructed two extremely dissimilar types to classify societies into two categories namely: (i) Militant Societies (ii) Industrial Societies According to him, in the 1st the regulating system was dominant and in the 2nd the sustaining system was emphasised.
- 6. Hunting &Gathering Societies Pastoral Societies Horticultural Societies Agricultural Societies Industrial Societies
- 7. Introduction Gerhard Lenskipointed out in his “Human Societies”, that it is the oldest and the simplest type of society is the Hunting and Gathering Society. Hunting gathering society relies heavily on hunting wild animals and gathering food for its survival. Example:- (i) San people of Kalahari desert in Southern Africa (ii) Bushmen of Southwestern Africa
- 8. 1- Smallin Size These societies consist of very small but scattered groups. The environment in which they live cannot support a large number of people. So, their numbers do not exceed 40- 50 members. 2- Nomadic In Nature These people are constantly on the move because they have to leave one area as soon as they have exhausted its food resources.
- 9. 3- NotDesire To Acquire Wealth For two reasons, firstly, no individual can acquire because there is no wealth. Secondly, there basic norm was sharing. 4- Family And Kinship Are The Only Defined Institutions The only 2 interconnected social institutions which were family and kinship. Family is all and all for them. Kinship was the basis of these groups as they were related by ancestry and marriage.
- 10. Absence OfPolitical Institution Statuses in these societies are essentially equal and hence the difference between the leader and followers is not there. Most decisions are made through group discussion. Warfare is unknown to these people. Limited Or No Division Of Labor There is gender-based division of Labour but there is no gender inequality as such.
- 11. Constant NeedTo Face Danger Some hunters and gatherers constantly face the danger of extinction in a struggle against adverse environments. Among the Itibamute Eskimos, for example a family’s fate rests in the hands of the father, who must find and catch the game, build the house and maintain the family. Simple Religious Belief Religion is not developed among these people into unseen spirits that must be taken into account but not necessarily worshipped.
- 12. Introduction Herding societyrefers to any form of society whose main subsistence comes from tending flocks and herds of domesticated animals. In practice, subsistence needs are often met by a combination of herding with hunting and gathering and other forms of agriculture.
- 13. Relatively LargerIn Size In comparison with the hunting and gathering societies, herding, societies, are larger in size and due to their technological “invention” of the domesticated animal which can be used for human food. Pastoralism As A Better Productive Strategy Pastoralism has proved to be a better productive stratergy than hunting and gathering for it provides an assured food supply and permits the accumulation of surplus resources.
- 14. Beginning OfInequality Since pastoralism contributes to the accumulation of surplus resources, some individuals who have better access to surplus, become more powerful than others. Nomadism Coupled With Trading Herding people, like the hunters and gathers, are nomadic because of their seasonal need to find sufficient grazing areas for their herds. Their nomadic way of life often brings pastoralists into contact with their groups. This helps them to develop trading.
- 15. Pastoralism AndDevelopment Of Religious Belief Pastoral people tend to develop their own religious beliefs. “They commonly believe in a God or Gods who take an active interest in human affairs, and look after the people who worship them. Judaism, Christianity and Islam – originated among pastoral peoples”.
- 16. Herding TechnologyLeads To Several Changes Herding Technology has led to several social changes among which the following may be noted. (i).The herding society tends to place a higher value on their temporary territories than do the hunting and gathering societies. Disputes over grazing rights with other herding societies sometimes result in warfare. (ii).Slavery, unknown in hunting and gathering societies, make its appearance as captives in war are put to work for their conquerors. (iii).Since herds can be owned, ideas about private property and inheritance of wealth are likely to emerge. (iv).Patriarchal forms of social organization tend to become popular especially among, those who make use of horses for transportation and warfare. (v). In general, in these pastoral societies, populations become larger, political and economic institutions begin to appear and both social structure and culture become more complex.
- 17. Introduction “Ahorticultural society is a social system based on horticulture, a mode of production in which digging sticks are used to cultivate small gardens”. Came into existence about 4000BC today in sub-Saharan Africa. Examples for horticultural societies: (1) Gururumba Tribe in New Guinea. (ii)Masai people of Kenya
- 18. Characteristics DomesticationOf Plants Horticulturists specialize in the domestication of plants such as wheat, rice etc. More advanced horticultural societies have metal tools and weapons and not ploughs. Slash And Burn Technology The subsistence strategy of the horticulturists is “slash and burn” technology .This people clear areas of land, burn the trees and plants they have cut down, raise crops for 2 or 3 years until the soil is exhausted and then repeat the process.
- 19. Horticulturalists AreBetter Settled Than Pastoralists Unlike the pastoralists, horticulturalists, are relatively better settled. They develop settlements that have larger populations and migrate in search of better conditions Relatively More Complex Division Of Labor This society assures better food supply of surplus. Existence of surplus leads to specialization of roles. Advanced horticultural societies sometimes consisting of as many as 5000 people support specialists producing and trading with a variety of products.
- 20. Emergence OfPolitical Institutions The surplus production allows some wealthy individuals to become more powerful than others. This leads to the emergence of political institutions in the form of chieftainships. Warfare is more common. Horticultural societies are also the first known societies to support the institution of slavery.
- 21. Creation OfRelatively Elaborate Cultural Artifacts These people live in comparatively permanent settlements, they can create more elaborate cultural artifacts. For example, houses, thrones, or large stone sculptures Some Rare Practices Horticulture societies have some rare practices such as cannibalism, headhunting and human sacrifice. Cannibalism is eating enemies’ skin as an act of ritual revenge. Headhunting is taken as evidence of courage and skill of warrior. Human sacrifice coincides with a change in the nature of religious beliefs.
- 22. Introduction An agriculturalsociety focuses on mode of production primarily on agriculture and production of large fields. Based on the invention of the plough around 3000B.C., the agrarian revolution marked its beginning. Use of plough increases the productivity of the land. Characteristics Of Agricultural Societies Cultivation Of Land Through Plough With the use of the plough increased productivity and made the increased yield more reliable. Plough increased production and ability to renew the soil.
- 23. Combining IrrigationTechniques with the use of Plough increased production and ability to renew the soil. Size of the agricultural societies is much greater than that of horticultural and pastoral communities. Appearance of cities: The specialists who engage themselves in non agricultural activities tend to concentrate in some compact places which ultimately led to the birth of the cities.
- 24. Emergence OfElaborate Political Institutions Agricultural societies lead to the establishment of more elaborate social institutions. Court system of providing justice also emerges. Evolution Of Distinct Social Classes Agricultural societies produces relatively greater wealth, which is unequally shared. 1st time, two distinct social classes – those who own the land and those who work on the lands of others- make their appearance.
- 25. Emergence OfA Clearly Defined Economic Institution Trade become more elaborate and money is used as a medium of exchange. These developments provide an incentive for the enrichment of systematic writing which is found only in those societies. Religion Becomes A Separate Institution As societies become more and more complex, religion requires full-time officials such as priests. Warfare And Empire Building Agricultural societies constantly fight amongst themselves and hence warfare become a regular feature. These also engage themselves in empire building.
- 26. Enrichment OfCulture More food is produced than required for subsistence, these societies are able to support people whose sole purpose is to provide creative ideas to the culture. Hence, poets, writers and artists are encouraged to continue their work. Revolutionary Transition In The Social Structure The number of statuses multiplies, population size increases, cities appear, new institutions emerge, social classes arise, political and economic inequality becomes built into the social structure, and culture becomes much more diversified.
- 27. Introduction Industrial modeof production began in England about 250 years ago. Industry literal meaning is a classification that refers to a group of companies that are related in terms of their primary business activities An industrial society is a system in which large number of labor and machinery is involved in production of goods and services. Characteristics Of Industrial Societies
- 28. Characteristics OfIndustrial Societies Industrial Society Is Associated With Industrial Revolution And Industrialism Industrial revolution transformed much of the Europe and United States by replacing essentially agriculturally based societies with industrial societies based on the use of machines and non- animal resources to be harnessed. Industrialism is based on the application of scientific knowledge to the technology of production, enabling new energy sources to be harnessed.
- 29. Technology InitiatingVast And Rapid Social Changes New technologies such as steam engine, atomic energy tend to bring about social changes as the economic and other institutions constantly adjust to altered conditions. Larger Societies With Huge Populations The high level of productivity of industrial societies further stimulates population growth with increasing members living in cities and metropolitan areas. Populations of these societies often run to tens or hundreds of millions.
- 30. Large ScaleDivision Of Labor Industrial society creates thousands of new specialized jobs. In this society statuses of politicians, teachers, doctors etc could be achieved. Losing Importance Of Family And Kinship Family loses many of its functions, it loses main responsibility of educating the younger ones. Kinship ties are also weakened. It does not play an important role in unifying and controlling people.
- 31. Religion LosingIts Hold Over The People Religion no longer play an important role in controlling the behavior of people. The world no longer remains as god-centered world for it is looked upon as the man-centered world. Increasing Importance Of Science And Education Science is looked upon as a promising and an effective means of socio-economic progress. Similarly, education has evolved into an independent and distinct institution.
- 32. Increasing ImportantRole Of The State State is increasingly involved in the economic, educational, military and other activities. State as the central power has increased important role in the industrial society. Widening Gap Between The Rich And The Poor According to Karl Marx, the rich class which is known as the exploiting class, and poor class as exploited class. So, there is a widening gap between the rich and the poor.
- 33. Spread OfHeterogeneous Culture New lifestyles and values create a much more heterogeneous culture which spreads its influence far and wide.