Society and Its Economic Needs

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Questions and Answers

What were the primary economic requirements of early human beings?

Leisure, fashion, and entertainment

Food, shelter, and clothing (correct)

Education, healthcare, and technology

Transportation, communication, and clothing

What does S C Easton refer to as a natural economy?

An economy dependent on natural resources (correct)

An economy based on technology and trade

An economy reliant on animal domestication

An economy focused on urban development

How did early man respond to the failure of his environment to provide food?

By forming cooperative societies

By creating advanced technology

By relying on barter systems

By moving to a new location (correct)

Which activity marked a significant shift in early man's reliance on nature?

Beginning to breed and tend animals Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason early humans started to make tools?

To adapt to changes in their environment Signup and view all the answers

What major development allowed early humans to produce food independently?

Advancements in agricultural techniques Signup and view all the answers

How did early humans adapt to uncomfortable weather conditions?

They built shelters for protection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of early man's food collection?

Dependence on hunting and gathering Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary assumption about human competition in the seventeenth century?

Survival depended on competition with others. Signup and view all the answers

What concept emerged in the nineteenth century regarding human survival?

Survival of the fittest. Signup and view all the answers

Why did humans realize the need for cooperation?

To overcome external pressures and dangers. Signup and view all the answers

What role did authority play in early human societies?

It maintained internal order and resisted external pressures. Signup and view all the answers

What factors contribute to the survival of a government, according to the content?

Acceptance by a majority or a sufficient minority. Signup and view all the answers

What risk did groups face without a governing authority?

Disintegration of the group. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests rules existed in prehistoric societies?

Custom forbade certain social behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What type of authority does a modern government typically possess?

Coercive power backed by police and military forces. Signup and view all the answers

What primary limitation faced by historians is mentioned in the content?

Absence of information Signup and view all the answers

How is the role of a historian characterized in relation to their sources?

Historians must construct narratives from silent sources Signup and view all the answers

What is one viewpoint expressed about history's classification as a social science?

History is an art form like painting and sculpture Signup and view all the answers

What do historians benefit from in order to reconstruct the past?

Diaries of travelers and missionary records Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of historical writing is influenced by the historian's background?

Choice of sources Signup and view all the answers

In what way is the historian's task compared to that of a sculptor?

Both create from pre-existing materials Signup and view all the answers

What does Easton (1970) suggest about history's predictability compared to other social sciences?

History has no predictive capability Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the historian's relationship with ideological interpretations?

Ideological mood shapes interpretations of historical facts Signup and view all the answers

What does the study of history reveal about peace negotiations?

Past experiences help inform contemporary approaches. Signup and view all the answers

According to Easton, what is a significant realization about human history?

The human race has continually evolved despite past crises. Signup and view all the answers

What role did earlier civilizations play according to the text?

They lay the foundation for future advancements. Signup and view all the answers

How are the contributions of Western civilization characterized in the content?

They are viewed as improvements on past civilizations. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated about the necessity of cooperation among human beings?

Basic needs drive the need for cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the passage suggest about changes in leadership over time?

Leadership may shift as new groups emerge with greater wisdom. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the process of food procurement in ancient times?

There were established techniques that influenced food procurement. Signup and view all the answers

How should past achievements be viewed according to the content?

They are critical for understanding the evolution of civilizations. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary reasons people began to domesticate wild plants and animals?

To ensure adequate supplies of food Signup and view all the answers

How did the concept of society evolve according to the passage?

From clan to nation with family as an earlier stage Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'solitary, poor brutish, and short' refer to in the passage?

The nature of life in ancient times Signup and view all the answers

What was the necessity that arose from growth in industrial production?

Codification of laws for social order Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the cultural creativity of early humans?

The creation of cave paintings as an expression of culture Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a common limitation faced by early individuals in their struggle for existence?

Their individual efforts were often insufficient for survival Signup and view all the answers

What role did heads of society play according to the passage?

They ensured the administration of justice and resource distribution Signup and view all the answers

What does cumulative cultural change indicate?

Cultural developments build upon previous changes but retain uniqueness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Society and Individual Needs

Societies address the individual and collective necessities of their members while imposing demands for contributions to societal renewal.
Basic economic necessities include food, shelter, and clothing.
Prehistoric societies largely focused on securing food from animals and wild plants, consuming most of their time.

Economic Development

Technological advancement influenced food collection methods; early humans hunted for meat.
A "natural economy" depended on resources provided by nature, with early humans living in caves and using animal skins for clothing.
Environmental changes and food scarcity prompted early humans to develop tools for survival and food production.

Agricultural Advancements

As dependence on nature decreased, humans began to control their food supply through animal breeding and agriculture.
Early agricultural practices involved tilling soil and planting crops to supplement diminishing natural food sources.

The necessity for shelter arose from environmental conditions, leading to the construction of homes unlike those provided by nature.
The seventeenth century introduced the idea of competition among humans for survival, evolving into the 19th-century notion of "survival of the fittest."

Cooperation and Governance

Human survival required cooperation among groups to address threats from predators and resource challenges.
The establishment of structured groups under a government became crucial for maintaining order and addressing external pressures.
Each community's government held a monopoly on power, essential for enforcement of rules and internal order.

Role of Historians

Historians encompass a wide range of topics and may consult diverse disciplines to gather valuable insights.
Limitations faced by historians stem from the lack of information, often relying on secondary sources like diaries and missionary records.
Historical interpretations are influenced by the historian's educational background and ideological perspective.

Importance of Pragmatism

Historical context aids politicians in contemporary decision-making, emphasizing the need for adaptable approaches to negotiations.
Recognizing past crises helps societies understand their evolution and resilience against adversity.

Evolution of Civilizations

Civilizations evolve, with groups rising and falling in influence, leaving legacies that shape future societies.
Western civilization significantly advanced due to foundations laid by earlier cultures, highlighting a continuum of cultural development.

Cultural Creativity and Change

The cultural creativity of early humans is evident in developments such as cave paintings.
Cultural shifts are cumulative yet unique, with each era contributing distinct changes that influence subsequent societal structures, as seen in Egyptian culture and its dissemination.

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Description

Explore how societies in prehistoric times responded to the individual and collective needs of their members. This quiz covers the basic economic requirements such as food, shelter, and clothing, and the contributions expected from community members. Understand the early technological advancements that influenced these necessities.