Sociology: Types of Societies

Mechanical Soliditary

The close-knit social relationships common in preindustrial societies that result when a small group of people share the same values and perform the same tasks. Not a lot of Division of Labor. Preindustrial.

3. Horticultural

Preindustrial Fruits and vegetables grown in garden plots that have been cleared from the jungle or forest provide the main source of food in a horticultural society. Have a level of technology and complexity similar to pastoral societies. Rotate plots to prevent barren land. By rotating their garden plots, horticulturists can stay in one area for a fairly long period of time. This allows them to build semipermanent or permanent villages. The size of a village's population depends on the amount of land available for farming. Villages can range from as few as 30 people to as many as 2,000. More complex division of labor. Specialized roles that are part of horticultural life include those of craftspeople, shamans—or religious leaders—and traders.This role specialization allows horticulturists to create a wide variety of artifacts. As in pastoral societies, inequalities in wealth and power eventually develop within horticultural societies, and hereditary chieftainships are prevalent. Economic and political systems may be better developed in horticultural societies than in pastoral societies because of the more settled life.

Preindustrial Society

a type of society in which food production—carried out through the use of human and animal labor—is the main economic activity. In preindustrial societies, production is based on human and animal labor. Production is slow, and the amount that can be produced is limited. In preindustrial societies most economic activities are carried out within the home setting. 4 Subdivisions: 1. Hunter Gatherer 2. Pastoral 3. Horticultural 4. Agricultural

Postindustrial

A type of society in which economic activity centers on the production of information and the provision of services. The standard of living improves as wages increase for much of the population. In general, postindustrial societies place strong emphasis on roles of science and education in society. Technological advances are viewed as the key to future prosperity.

Industrial Societies

A type of society in which the mechanized production of goods is the main economic activity. Emphasis shifts from the production of food to the production of manufactured goods. In industrial societies the bulk of production is carried out with machines. Thus, production can be increased by adding more machines or by developing new technologies. Industrialization also changes the nature of the economy by reducing the demand for agricultural laborers. These workers are free to transfer their labor to the production of goods. The size of the industrial workforce also increases as new technologies make it possible to manufacture a wider variety of goods. With the development of machines, production moves from the home to factories. Leads to urbanization.

Organic Soliditary

Impersonal social relationships, common in industrial societies, that arise with increased job specialization. Lots of Division of Labor. Industrial and Postindustrial

4. Agricultural

Preindustrial Animals are used to pull plows to till the fields. This technological innovation allows agriculturists to plant more crops than is possible when only human labor is used. Irrigation further increases crop yields, as does terracing, the practice of cutting fields into the sides of hills. Higher crop yields allow agricultural societies to support large populations.Leads to specialized roles (division of labor). Specialization leads to the development of cities,as individuals engaged in specialized roles come together in central areas. Power often becomes concentrated in the hands of a single individual.This power is transferred from generation to generation,usually in the form of a hereditary monarchy. Build powerful armies to provide protection from outside attack. The leaders also construct roads. Efficient transportation systems help increase trade, and this, in turn, leads to a number of significant cultural advances Use money as the medium of exchange. Many agricultural societies also develop a system of writing to assist in keeping records. Sharp status differences arise in agricultural societies. Most people belong to one of two groups: landowners or peasants.

2. Pastoral Societies

Preindustrial Nomadic Life. Members of a pastoral society rely on domesticated herd animals to meet their food needs. Food supply is more reliable than hunter gatherer, can support more people. Division of Labor (specialization by individuals or groups in the performance of specific economic activities) is more complex. Some people become craft workers, producing tools, weapons, and jewelry. Production of goods encourages trade. This trade, in turn, helps to create inequality, as some families acquire more goods than others do. Passing on of property from generation to generation helps to centralize wealth and power. In time, hereditary chieftainships—the typical form of government in pastoral societies—emerge.

1. Hunter Gatherer

Preindustrial Producing food used in hunter-gatherer societies is the daily collection of wild plants and the hunting of wild animals. Move around constantly in search of food.they do not build permanent villages or create a wide variety of artifacts. Size is limited in this society.Statuses within the group are relatively equal, and decisions are reached through general agreement. The family forms the main social unit, with most societal members being related by birth or by marriage. The family also carries out most social functions.