Types of Societies: Hunting and Pastoral

Types of Societies

Hunting and Gathering Society

• Hierarchy is not varied in this society type.
• Members are generally treated equally.
• Decisions are typically arrived at through consensus.
• Roles of members and division of labor are not clearly defined.
• This society is the earliest and simplest form.
• Characterized by its small size and composed mainly of families.
• Members are typically nomadic to spend the majority of their time searching for food.
• There is no permanent territory.

Pastoral Society

• Characterized by the domestication of animals for food.
• Food supplies are stable and predictable.
• Communities have larger populations than hunting and gathering societies.
• Typically remain longer in one place.
• Surplus food and resources are often produced, which they trade with other societies.
• Relative prosperity enables people to engage in activities beyond survival, like handicrafts.
• This leads to the emergence of specialized tasks in the community.

Horticultural Society

• Roles and responsibilities are more clearly defined with many tasks assigned according to gender.
• Surplus of goods can lead to equalities among members.
• Family- and clan-oriented, and occupants were restricted by tradition.
• It engages in the small-scale cultivation of plants, fruits, and vegetables.
• Domestication of animals takes place.
• Semi-nomadic, traveling when resources are exhausted in one area.

Agrarian or Agricultural Society

• A further evolution of the pastoral and horticultural societies.
• Agriculture involves large-scale and long-term cultivation of crops.
• Domestication of animals takes place.
• Improved technology and tools aid farming.
• Increased production occurs, giving rise to a growing population.
• Large population leads to a more structured social system that manages resources and members.
• Increasingly complex social organization and growing importance of territory often results in conflicts among neighboring societies over resources and land.

Feudal Society

• Gives rise to individuals who value relations among family members and other community members.
• Members are very mindful of hierarchy.
• Traditional and resistant to social change.
• Based on the ownership of land.
• Members are organized based on status.
• Landowners are the most powerful and influential members.
• Peasants are considered the lowest group.

Industrial Society

• Based on the use of specialized machinery in the production of goods and services.
• Defined by the nature of work and the prevailing industry.
• Capitalists or business owners are most influential.
• Characterized by culture.

Post-Industrial Society

• The virtual society where people organize themselves through communication technology and the internet.

Social Values

• Actions or ideals that are considered important by society.
• Laws are norms defined as legal or illegal by the government for being important.

Society

• Shapes and molds individuals.
• Traits, traditions, and culture make individuals unique.
• Responsible for the growth and development of a person.