Types of society

Different types of Society

1. Types of Society - Made by Agamani Saha

2. Human societies are not uniform . They differ form one another in several respects . Sociologists throw more light on the types of societies for the very often make comparisons between societies. The classical sociologists of late 19 th and early 20 th centuries made great efforts in developing “master social types.”

3. Some examples of such classifications are given in the next slides

4. Morgan’s Classification L.H. Morgan in his book “Ancient Society” (1879) classified societies into three groups :- Savage Barbarian Civilised

5. Comte’s Classification Comte’s scheme considered of types of societies , namely Legal society Industrial society w hich corresponded to 3 types of thinking , namely , Theological thinking Metaphysical thinking Positive thinking

6. Spencer’s Classification Herbert Spencer classified societies into two categories , namely , Militant societies Industrial societies

7. Classification of Societies (based on the Mode of Subsistence or the Types of Technology)

8. In terms of evolution , we can classify societies into 2 main types:- Simple Society Complex Society

9. 1. Simple Society Simple society is small in size and uses simple technology . They have little control over nature. Some simple societies who started using technology are called transitional societies. Most of these transitional societies tolerated colonial rules . That is why these simple societies have changed in many ways.

10. Classification of Simple Societies Simple Societies can be generally classified into :- Hunting and Gathering Societies Pastoralism and Pastoral Societies Horticultural Societies Agricultural Societies

11. i . Hunting and Gathering Societies Characteristics :- Small in size Nomadic in Nature No Desire to Acquire Wealth Family and Kinship are the only defined institutions Absence of Political Institution Limited or no division of labour Constant need to face danger Simple religious belief

12. ii. Herding or Pastoral Societies Characteristics :- Relatively larger in size Pastoralism as a Better Productive Strategy Beginning of Inequality Pastoralism and Development of Religious Belief Herding technology leading to several changes

13. iii. Horticultural Societies Characteristics :- Domestication of Plants Slash and Burn Technology Horticulturists are better settled than Pastoralists Relatively more complex division of labour Emergence of Political Institutions Creation of Relatively Elaborate Cultural Artefacts Some Rare Practices

14. iv. Agricultural or Agrarian Societies On the basis of mode of production of agrarian societies , it can be divided into 2 categories :- Settled Cultivation Shifting Cultivation

15. iv. Agricultural or Agrarian Societies Characteristics :- Cultivation of land through plough An Increase in the size of Society Emergence of Elaborate Political Institutions Evolution of Distinct Classes Emergence of a clearly defined Economic Institution Religion becomes a separate Institution Warfare and Empire Building Enrichment of Culture Revolutionary Transition in the Social Structure

16. 2. Complex Society (Modern) Industrial Societies and (Post modern) Post Industrial Societies are called Complex Societies.

17. Complex Society There are some reasons for mentioning these societies as complex :- Large area & Large population Occupational Differentiation & specialization Production of consumer product , use of high level of technology for industry Normlessness in complex modern societies Changes in the mode of production and consumer product

18. Complex Society Characteristics :- It is associated with Industrial Revolution and Industrialisation Technology initiating vast & rapid social changes Larger societies with huge population Large scale division of Labour Losing Importance of Family and Kinship

19. Complex Society Characteristics (Continued) :- f. Religion losing its hold over the people g. Increasing Importance of Science and Education h. Increasing Important Role of The State i . Widening gap between the Rich and the Poor j. Spread of Heterogenous Culture

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