Society types according to Giddens
Numerous social scientists have attempted to classify human societies, that is, to establish types of society . Most of the more recent approaches are based on a historically founded theory of types, such as the recent list by Anthony Giddens ( Sociology , 1999), which is presented here.
Under older approaches, the proto-sociological Marxist typology of class societies already gained great influence. The classification according to Karl Bücher (in The Origin of Economics ) then became effective in social science .
Society types according to Giddens
The earliest societies: hunters and gatherers
Period
The period of its existence extends from 50,000 years ago to today. Hunters and gatherers can still be found today in the areas of the Brazilian jungle or in New Guinea (see hunters ). With the increasing global spread of Western culture, hunters and gatherers are increasingly disappearing. (Here, periods of time that are mostly very different from Giddens' are estimated, namely from this side of the animal-human transition field about five million years ago to the end of the Mesolithic .)
Social characteristics
Hunters and gatherers live in small groups or tribes with fixed territories. Their communities are roughly 30 to 40 people who live and work together. They secure their livelihood by hunting, fishing and collecting wild plants. In the life of hunters and gatherers, there is a precise division of labor between men and women. Their material goods are limited to weapons for hunting, tools for digging and building, traps and cooking utensils. Compared to larger societies, there is little social inequality among hunters and gatherers . There is no distinction between rich and poor. Differences in (social) rank only arise on the basis of age and gender. The oldest and most experienced men have the most respect of the group, which is why they usually make the important decisions.
Hunters and Gatherers - the Original Abundance Societies?
The ethnologist Marshall Sahlins calls the hunter-gatherer communities the "original affluent societies" because he suspects that, on average, they were less consumed by their work than employees are today by their gainful employment . However, the hunters and gatherers did not value wealth. Once the basic needs were satisfied, they turned to ceremonial and ritual activities. Most of the hunter-gatherer societies that still exist today have been driven from fertile areas, pushed back into inhospitable, barren areas, and often live on the verge of starvation.
Pasture societies
Period
About 20,000 years ago, some groups of hunters and gatherers started rearing “domestic animals” (= pasture society). The pasture societies exist for approx. 12,000 years and are still today as parts of larger states z. B. found in Africa or Central Asia.
(Social) characteristics
Pasture societies often exist in regions with dense grass cover, in deserts or mountains. These regions are not suitable for agriculture, but for raising animals. In pasture societies (depending on the area) animals such as B. cattle, sheep, goats, camels or horses are bred. They serve the community as a means of livelihood security. Due to the seasons, people are forced to wander back and forth between different areas - cf. plus nomads . By using animals as a means of transport, in contrast to hunters and gatherers, they are able to cover great distances. Since the animals provide a constant source of food, society consists of considerably more members (up to a quarter of a million) than that of hunters and gatherers. As a result of the migration through the area and thus the meeting of different groups, the first "trade relations" appear. These encounters could also lead to wars (see Reitervölker ).
In the pasture society there is strong social inequality due to ownership (animals). The group is ruled by a chief or a warlike king.
Agrarian societies
Period
Agricultural societies have also existed for around 12,000 years (cf. Neolithic Revolution ) and to a small extent still today. However, they have lost their specific character as they have now become part of larger political entities.
(Social) characteristics
Agricultural societies are sedentary and based on small communities, in rural areas, or in small towns. Their livelihoods are secured by agriculture, as well as hunting and gathering. Compared to the hunters and gatherers, agrarian societies have more material goods. Regular trade routes and political trade relationships can be established through sedentarism. In the agricultural society, as in the pasture society, bellicose behavior can be found, because their stocks motivate raids against them.
Agricultural societies are also characterized by “social” inequalities and they are ruled by chiefs.
Traditional states or civilization
Period
The existence of the traditional states extends to the period from 600 BC. BC to the 19th century.
(Social) characteristics
This type of society came about through the development of cities. Another characteristic that should be mentioned here is that the Society was powerful in writing. Within the traditional states, there is a very pronounced inequality in terms of prosperity. Traditional states are ruled by monarchs (initially often priest-kings - see Hydraulic Society ). The term “traditional states” came about through the developed central power.
In addition, science and the arts received an upswing. Based on these characteristics, these companies are also " civilizations " ( civilizations called). Most of the traditional states are called "empires" because of their size, conquests and incorporation of other peoples (millions of people). Examples are China, Mesopotamia, Persia or the Roman Empire.
As a difference to the other forms of society, it must be noted that the traditional state was the first historical type of society in which a large part of the population was not directly involved in the production of food, but agriculture formed the basis of the economic system. Trade and goods production are concentrated in cities. The traditional states are characterized by a very complicated professional system, and the traditional states have a well-developed government apparatus headed by an emperor or a king. The people were divided into classes (aristocratic groups, etc.) (cf. social structure ). According to Giddens, the disappearance of the traditional states can be explained by industrialization .
The Maya
An example of a traditional state would be the Maya , the third American civilization. They lived on the Yucatán Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico from AD 300 to AD 800 . The Maya were known for their magnificent religious centers, built of stone, in the form of large pyramids, which were surrounded by their homes. The simple peasants were ruled by the most respected people in society: the warrior-priests. They were the religious dignitaries and military leaders at the same time.
First World Societies
Period
First World societies have existed since the 18th century and extend to the present day. (More backward dates here include the Lombard city-states (Venice, Genoa), Portugal or the Netherlands.)
(Social) characteristics
First World societies came into being through the colonization process . They are based on industrial production and the market economy. (Dates going back further here include mercantilism , as well as standing armies and navies.) The people of the First World live in both smaller and larger cities. Agriculture is only practiced by a very small part of the population.
Another feature to be mentioned here is the class differences . Compared to the traditional states, however, these are lower. The First World government is largely based on a multi-party parliamentary system. Examples of First World Countries: 'Western' Nations, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Second World Societies
Period
The societies of the Second World emerged after the Russian Revolution in 1917 and lasted until the early 1990s.
(Social) characteristics
One of the most important characteristics of the Second World Society is the industrial base and a centrally planned economic system (" Central Administrative Economy "). A declining part of the population worked in agriculture. Most people's life increasingly took place in the cities.
Great class differences can also be found in this type of society. Second world societies are politically demarcated communities or nation states (until 1989 they consisted of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe). Since 1989, social and economic changes have transformed the system of Second World Society into a free market economy, making them First World Societies.
Third World Societies
Period
Third World societies mostly arose in the 18th century in "colonized" areas and still exist today. (Examples of older states are e.g. Ethiopia, Nepal or Thailand.)
(Social) characteristics
The term "Third World" generally refers to the less developed societies. Third world societies are characterized by poverty - especially in rural areas, a lack of schooling, substandard housing, disadvantages for women and a low life expectancy.
Many Third World societies are located in areas that were previously ruled by colonial powers. For a long time, the societies of the Third World were linked to the industrialized countries. It was shaped by trade with western countries. Slave trade was often common in third world societies.
Most people in third world societies are engaged in agriculture. This is often difficult because people are plagued by periods of drought or flooding. A part of the agricultural products, which are obtained by traditional production methods, is sold on the world market ( cash crops ). Not all third world countries are built alike, some have a market economy system while others are central administration economies . All third world countries, however, are politically demarcated state communities (in Giddens communities ) or nation states .
In recent years, conditions in developing countries have deteriorated rather than improved.
India
An example of a third world country is India . India was colonized by Great Britain. India gained independence after the Second World War, but it was divided into two parts: India proper, in which Hinduism predominates, and Islamic Pakistan. In India today, a third of the population is still engaged in agriculture.
Emerging markets
Emerging economies are also referred to as "new industrialized countries. Giddens cites Brazil and Mexico in Latin America, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan in East Asia as examples (p. 66). Emerging economies were among the societies of the Third World before their" rise. The largest Number of people now live in cities, while agriculture is taking a back seat.
Emerging countries are characterized by enormous class differences - these are usually higher than in First World societies.
source
Anthony Giddens, "Sociology", Nausner and Nausner, 1999, 2nd edition />