The hunting and gathering society is considered the most equitable of all seven types, while the agricultural community gives rise to the development of civilization. The societies vary in their structure: the former exists in small nomadic groups to search for food supply, and the latter forms larger groups characterized by possessions and control of resources (“Chapter 6,” n.d.). One can refer to hunters and gatherers as to the main formal groups in the corresponding society; however, its basic unit is family. Thereby, people within one tribe or an extended family create in-groups when they encounter a rival unacquainted out-group. On the other hand, the agricultural society distinguishes an elite class, usually including political and religious leaders. The community demonstrates social ranking and collection of taxes from those deprived of power (“Chapter 6,” n.d.). The existence of strong armies indicates a clear division on in-groups and out-groups because of the need to protect own city or invade those appealing to the leaders (Brown, n.d.). Thus, the agricultural society is based on the concept of ownership, which contrasts with the hunting and gathering one.
The two societies also differ in the people’s activities and their impact on individuals. The hunting and gathering society’s feature is a strict division of labor. Women focus on gathering as they care for children, and men are supposed to take risks and hunt animals (“Chapter 6,” n.d.). As land is not owned, the society enjoys equality, and each individual is encouraged to share. People build the culture of cooperation and support; their environment facilitates animism, totemism, polytheism, and shamanism as the society aims at maintaining harmony with nature and relies on it to survive (Starbuck & Lundy, 2015). In the agricultural community, the most common occupations are farming and trade, although specialized jobs appear as well, and people often engage in warfare (Starbuck & Lundy, 2015). Political and spiritual leaders with inherited power suppress others and increase inequality because they control resources, which prevents lower social classes from improving their position. Males considerably dominate and undervalue females because men are in charge of plowing (“Chapter 6,” n.d.). Unlike peaceful and egalitarian hunters and gatherers, people from the agricultural society cannot overcome the oppression and need to fight for resources.
References
Brown, C. S. (n.d.). Introduction to agrarian societies. Khan Academy. Web.
Chapter 6: Societies to social networks. (n.d.). California State University Northridge. Web.
Starbuck, G. H., & Lundy, K. C. (2015). Families in context: Sociological perspectives (3rd ed.). Routledge.