Types of Societies

Chapter 4, section 3

Pgs. 73-77

Types of Society

A Group: is a set of people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and who possess some degree of common identity.

Sociologists classify societies according to Subsistence strategies: the way a society uses technology to provide for the needs of its members

Sociologists group societies in three broad categories: preindustrial, industrial, or postindustrial.

Preindustrial Societies

Preindustrial societies: food production- which is carried out through the use of human and animal labor- is the main economic activity. These societies can be subdivided based on the

method of producing food. Hunting and gathering Pastoral Horticultural and agricultural

Hunting and Gathering Societies

Hunting and Gathering: the daily collection of wild plants and the hunting of wild animals.

Hunter-gatherers move around constantly in search of food.

Such societies generally consist of less then 60 people.

Statuses within the group are relatively equal and decisions are reached through general agreement.

The family is the main social unit, with most societal members being related by birth or marriage.

This type of organization requires the family to carry out social functions such as education.

Pastoral Societies

Pastoral Societies are a slightly more efficient form of subsistence. Rather the searching for food on a daily basis members rely on domesticated animals to meet their food needs.

Pastoralists live a nomadic life moving their herds from pasture to pasture.

Pastoral societies can support larger populations.

Since there is food surpluses, fewer people are needed to produce food.

Therefore you see a Division of Labor-the specialization of individuals in the performance of specific economic activities-becomes more complex

Ex. Craft workers, producing tools, weapons, jewelry.

Pastoral Societies cont.

The production of goods encourage trade.

Trade in turn creates inequality as some families acquire more goods then others.

These families often acquire power through their increased wealth.

Patriarchal society

The passing on of property from generation to generation helps to centralize wealth and power.

In time, hereditary chieftainships-the typical form of government in pastoral societies- will emerge.

Horticultural Societies

Fruits and vegetables grown in garden plots that have been cleared from the jungle or forest provide the main source of food in a horticultural society.

Culturalists use human labor and simple tools to cultivate land for one or more seasons

This allows them to build permanent or semi-permanent villages.

This size of the village depends on the land available for farming.

Horticultural Societies continued

Specialized roles that are part of horticultural life include those of craftspeople, shamans-or religious leaders, and traders

As with pastoral societies, surplus in food lead to inequalities in wealth and power.

Economic and political systems may be stronger here because of the more settled nature of a horticultural society

Agricultural Societies

In an agricultural society animals are used to pull plows to till the fields.

This technological innovation allows agriculturists to plant more crops than is possible when only human labor is used.

Irrigation is also used to yield more crops.

Higher crop yields allows agricultural societies to support very large populations.

This again leads to specialization, but the population size will create cities of these groups.

Agricultural Societies continued

As the number of cities increase, power often becomes concentrated in the hands of single individuals.

This power is passed on from generation to generation and usually results in hereditary monarchy.

Seperation between church and government

Leaders of agriculture societies build powerful armies to provide protection from outside attacks

With the increase in population, crops and specialization (especially trade) there no longer exists:

Barter: the exchange of a good or service to facilitate a trade.

Agricultural Societies continued

In place of bartering they use money as the medium of exchange.

Many develop a writing system to assist government, land owners, and traders in keeping records.

Most people belong to one of two groups: Landowners or peasants The small group of landowners controls the wealth and

power. The large peasant group provides the labor on the

which the landowners’ wealth and power depend.

Industrial Societies

In an industrial society the emphasis shifts from production of food to the production of manufactured goods.

This shift is made possible by changes in production methods.

The bulk of production is carried out through the use of machines.

Society dependent upon science and technology to produce basic goods and services.

Industrial Societies

Industrialization changes the location of work. Production and work move from the home to

the factory. How does this change the relationship with

who you work with?? Urbanization- the concentration of the

population in cities

Industrial Societies differences

In pre-industrial societies the family is the primary social institutions but in industrial societies education and production take place outside the home.

The role of religion changes as well in industrial societies where scientific ideas often challenge religious beliefs.

Industrial Societies differences

One positive effect is that it brings people more freedom to compete for social position. In pre-industrial societies most social statuses are ascribed thus it is difficult to move up. In industrial societies most statuses are achieved and individuals have more control over their position in the social structure.

Post-industrial Societies

The United States is a post-industrial society. Post industrial- much of the economy is involved

in providing information and services. In the U.S. 75% of the workforce is involved in

these activities. In contrast 2% of the workers are employed by

agriculture and nearly 25% are employed in the production of goods.

Post-industrial Societies continued

The standard of living and the quality of life improves as wages increase for much of the population.

Post industrial societies place strong emphasis on the roles of science and education in society.

Technological advances are viewed as key to the future of society.

The rights of individuals and the search for personal fulfillment take on importance.

Belief in these rights lead to a strong emphasis on social equality and democracy.

Post Industrial Society

Economic emphasis is on providing services and information rather than on producing goods through basic manufacturing.

Daniel Bell suggested 5 features of this society. For the first time

majority of labor force are employed in services rather than in agriculture or manufacturing.

Daniel Bell cont.

White collar employment replaces much blue collar work

Technical knowledge is the key organizing feature in post industrial

Technological change is planned and assessed.

Computer modeling is relied up in all areas.

Contrasting Societies

According to Durkheim, pre-industrial societies are held together by mechanical solidarity.

Mechanical Solidarity: mean that when people share the same values and perform the same tasks they become united in a common whole. As the division of labor within societies becomes more

complex this gives way to organic solidarity. Organic solidarity refers to impersonal social relationships

that arise with increased job specialization in which individuals no longer provide for all of their own needs and become dependent on others for aspects of survival.

Contrasting Societies

Ferdinand Tonnies studied the differences between simple and complex societies.

He introduced the ideas of

Gemeinschaft which is the German word for community and

Gesellschaft which if the German word for society.

Gemeinschaft

Most members know one another Relationships are closer and activities

center on family and community. People share a strong sense of solidarity. A pre-industrial society or a rural village in

a more complex society are examples of Gemeinschaft.

Tradition, kinship, intimate social relationships

Gesellschaft

Based on need rather then on emotion Relationships are impersonal and often

temporary. Traditional values are weakened and

individuals goals are more important then group goals= Competition

A modern urban society such as the U.S. is a good example of this.