Page 187 - Sociology and You

Chapter 5 Social Structure and Society
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This medieval manuscript shows a noble instructing villeins on crop harvesting. Why would this type of superior-subordinate behavior first appear in an agricultural society?
Using animals also increases productivity, because larger areas can be cul- tivated with fewer people. As a result, more people are free to engage in noneconomic activities such as formal education, concerts, and political ral- lies. Cities can be built, and occupations appear that are not directly tied to farming, such as politician, blacksmith, and hat maker. New political, eco- nomic, and religious institutions emerge. Although family ties remain impor- tant, government replaces the family group as the guiding force for agricultural societies.
In the past, agricultural societies were headed by a king or an emperor. Distinct social classes appeared for the first time. Wealth and power were based on land ownership, which was controlled by the governing upper class. These elites enjoyed the benefits of the work done by the peasants. Urban merchants were better off than peasants, but they, too, worked hard for their livings. An economy based on trade began to emerge as an identi- fiable institution during this time. Monetary systems, which use money rather than goods for payment, began to be used as well. Increasingly, religion and government became separate as institutions. Rulers were believed to be di- vinely chosen, but few of them were also religious leaders.
Section 3 Assessment
1. Briefly restate the chief traits of each type of society: hunting and gathering, horticultural, pastoral, and agricultural.
2. In which type of society did a marked class system first appear? Explain why.
Critical Thinking
3. SynthesizingInformation Usinginformationfromthissection, develop a theory that would explain why conflict increases as society becomes more complex.
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Money is the most egali- tarian force in society. It confers power on who- ever holds it.
Roger Starr American economist
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