Chapter 4 section 3: TYPES OF SOCIETIES SOCIOLOGY Chapter 4 section 3: TYPES OF SOCIETIES

Some basics… GROUP: a set of people who interact on the basis of shared expectations and who possess some degree of common identity. Some groups & small & organized along informal lines while others are large & more formal. The largest, most complex groups that sociologists study are societies, which are classified according to SUBSISTENCE STRATEGIES – the way the society uses technology to provide for the needs of its members.

Category 1: PREINDUSTRIAL Pre-industrial societies may be subdivided according to their level of technology & their method of producing food, which is their main economic activity. There are 4 subdivisions within this category: HUNTING & GATHERING SOCIETIES PASTORAL SOCIETIES HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES

Cat. 1 - PREINDUSTRIAL Hunting/gathering: the daily collection of wild plants & hunting of wild animals to satisfy the demand for food. These are nomadic societies who have small numbers of members. Statuses w/in the group are relatively = & decisions are by consensus. The family = the major social unit. Pastoral: while nomadic as well, this type of group is a little more efficient b/c they rely on domesticated herd animals to meet their food needs. They still must move from pasture to pasture but their food supply is more reliable so their population is larger. Food surpluses allow for the division of labor (craftworkers, tool producers, weapon producers, etc). Trade occurs – leading to inequality in wealth. Hereditary chieftainships are typically the form of gov’t.

Cat. 1: PREINDUSTRIAL Horticultural: Mainly subsist on fruits/veg. grown in gardens within the jungle. Their villages are permanent or semi-permanent due to slash/burn clearing methods. Villages vary in size according to available farm land. Like pastoral societies, food surpluses leads to a division of labor. Hereditary chiefs rule here as well. Since they are more permanent settlements they are typically more developed than pastoral societies.

Cat. 1: PREINDUSTRIAL Agricultural: Animals contribute their labor here allowing for increased cropping & higher yields. As a result these communities may be very large. Specialization of labor may lead to the development of cities for trade. Typically ruled by a hereditary monarch with power transferred generationally. Armies emerge for protection; transportation & economic systems for trade; BARTER (the exchange of a good or service) facilitates trade. Sharp status differences are present here; Major divisions between landowners & peasants dictates wealth accumulation. What can we learn from preindustrial societies?

CATEGORY 2: INDUSTIRAL SOCIETIES Here the emphasis shifts from food production to the production of manufactured goods. Mechanization occurs to facilitate this shift; new technology results. Population increases significantly & the economic system changes as the need for farmers decreases. Factories emerge in cities leading to urbanization as former ag. Workers look for manufacturing work. Production increases significantly. Education takes place outside the family (formally). Social position results from competition (social statuses are ascribed). Basics of bartering bartering application

CATEGORY 3: POSTINDUSTRIAL Postindustrial societies go beyond the level of development in industrial societies. Here, much of the economy is involved in providing information & services. In the US about 73% of the labor force is involved in those activities; 25% in manufacturing or production jobs & 2% in agriculture. The standard of living in these societies is very high. Strong emphasis is placed on education, rights of individuals & personal fulfillment. These societies are well suited for democracy.

CONTRASTING SOCIETIES Sociologists have compared preindustrial & industrial societies using the concepts of MECHANICAL and ORGANIC solidarity (Durkheim = functionalist) MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY: this is what holds preindustrial societies together; by sharing the same values & tasks they become united. ORGANIC SOLIDARITY: holds Industrial & PI societies together. Its based on the impersonal social relationships that arise with job specialization…people can no longer provide for all of their own needs & so become dependent on others for survival.

CONTRASTING SOCIETIES German Sociologist Ferdinand Tonnies distinguished 2 ideal types of societies based on the structure of social relationships and the degree of shared values among societal members. GEMEINSCHAFT = community. Members know each other & relationships are close. Activities center on family & community. There is a strong sense of solidarity. (EX: PI societies; rural villages) GESELLSCHAFT = society. Social relationships based on need rather than emotion. Relationships are impersonal & often temporary. Individual goals trump group goals. (EX: urban societies like the US).