Lenski And 5 Different Societies Essay
While the free essays can give you inspiration for writing, they cannot be used 'as is' because they will not meet your assignment's requirements. If you are in a time crunch, then you need a custom written term paper on your subject (lenski and 5 different societies)
Here you can hire an independent writer/researcher to custom write you an authentic essay to your specifications that will pass any plagiarism test (e.g. Turnitin). Waste no more time!
Jean and Gerhard Lenski, in their theory of sociocultural evolution, describe five
different types of societies, separated by their technologies. They are the hunting and gathering societies, the horticultural and pastoral societies, the agrarian societies, the industrial societies, and the post-industrial societies. Which of these societies would I prefer? I will argue that the post-industrial society is favorable to the other four societies.
Compared to the post-industrial society, an individual in the hunting and gathering society consumes a great deal of time, energy, and thought, collecting and hunting for food. Most of these societies today generally live in marginal areas where resources are scarce, so life for the hunter and gatherer seems more oriented toward mere survival. The natural elements can be harsh, for example, in the Arctic where the Inuit live. In the post-industrial society, food is easily available, allowing more time to focus on other interests. Life expectancy is also very low compared to the post industrial society. Technology is minimal in the hunting and gathering society, which again relates back to the need for expending time and energy finding food. Technology in medicine is also primitive for hunters and gatherers. If I, or someone I cared for, develops a pendicitis, for example, this would be easily treatable in the post-industrial society, death would be rare. In the hunting and gathering society, likely I or my cared-one would suffer pain and eventually die.
The hunting and gathering society certainly has its benefits. Equality is great and social stratification is low, opposed to the post-industrial society. I feel that the costs, however, outweigh these benefits.
As with the hunting and gathering societies, the horticultural and pastoral societies do not afford as much time for leisure as does the post-industrial society. Production of food in the horticulturist society and care of animals in the pastoral society still consumes a large portion of time for most of its members. The horticulturist is at the mercy of the elements since a bad season or natural phenomena such as a flood can deplete food resources and drastically effect the survival of its members. Pastoral societies are also at risk of animal diseases or droughts. These societies do not have the technologies that post-industrial societies have to guard against food shortage. The pastorals are nomadic, and sometimes endure harsh and even dangerous environments in their journeys. Medical technology is also low, so physical pain and death are more common than in post-industrial society.
The agrarian society, compared to the post-industrial society, displays more inequality. There exists a large economic gap between the wealthy or elite...
MLA Style
. EssayMania.com. Retrieved on 25 May, 2012 from
<http://essaymania.com/68680/lenski-and-5-different-societies>
More College Papers
Location And It's Effect On Success Or Failure essay
The Amish of Lancaster Pennsylvania (and Indiana) relied on the availability of good farmland for their success. At the time of their settling land was readily available and in large tracts. Even though much of the land needed to be cleared of trees and rocks the Amish were accustomed to hard physic
Juvenile Delinquency And Religion essay
Over the years, countless efforts have been made to find a comprehensive explanation for delinquency. The results of these efforts have offered possible reasons as being both biological and social. It is still debatable as to what forces have the greatest influence on youth crime, but it is undoubte
Leadership And Motivation essay
Leadership and Motiviation
1. Introduction and Definition
2. Leadership Types
a. Natural born leader
b. Developed leader
3. Leadership Models
a. Traditional
b. Non-traditional
4. Leadership Traits
a. Make people feel important
b. Promote your vision
c. Treat others as you want to be treat