
1. Describe the difference between bands, tribes, chiefdom, and states.
Band- A band, is a nomadic society that consist of several dozen people. The relationship between the people is kin based. When it comes to the government, they make decisions through egalitarian leadership. They are not run by a bureaucracy. Food production is not a part of there economy, nor is division of labor.
Tribes- The first stage after band is tribe. The only major difference between the two is that a tribe is much larger. A tribe is made up of hundreds of people. They settle is usually only 1 village, and their basis of relationship is kin based. Like in a band, their government is not a bureaucracy, and their decision making leadership skills are egalitarian. Food production is a part of their economy. It was not at first but gradually they switched over.
Chiefdom- A chiefdom is slightly larger than a tribe (as it has thousands of people), but much larger than a band. Their settlement patter is in 1 or more villages. The basis of relationship is class and residence. The decision making leadership in the government is hereditary and centralized. Their bureaucracy levels are 1-2. Food production is a major part of their economy as it is very intensive. Another part of economy is the control of land, which is by the chief.
States- The biggest of all the different societies is states, which are consisting of 50,000 or more. Similar to chiefdom, their basis of relationship is class and residence. They are fixed in many villages and cities. Their government is centralized and it has many levels of bureaucracy. The economy is dependent on food production to an intensive extent.
2. What is something interesting - to you - that you take away from this chapter? Explain.
An interesting fact I learned in this chapter is one of the major reasons why states always triumph in wars with other societies (besides the fact that they are larger and far more advanced), is the official religions and patriotic fervor of many states make their troops willing to fight suicidally. We develop that willingness in schools, churches, and governments. Each country has its own slogan urging its citizens to be ready for death. what struck me about this, is that this statement is so true. The media and government are always encouraging citizens to fight for their country, but it is never their country they are fighting for.