The origin of the state is a problem that worried (and continues to worry) the whole mankind for few centuries already. During all this time many theories about the origin of the state were invented. Today the most common division is the one suggested by Elman Roger Service, according to which society can be divided into band, tribe, chiefdom and state (Farooq). All these stages have its own characteristics and features and with the development of the society one transformed in another. This paper discusses the main characteristics of the chiefdom society with the comparison of it with the rest of the types.
The first type of society is a band. It is the smallest group of this classification and is defined as the initial stage of society. Members of these bands were in most collectors and hunters (Farooq). Their basis was unstable paired families, and all the activities carried out in these groups based on gender and age division of labor (Bands and Tribes). Collectors and hunters lived and roamed combined in small groups of 40 people or less. Women gathered plant food, the men hunted and fished. This division of labor by gender exists in almost all the tribes that still remain at this level of development; therefore, it was typical for the culture of harvesting and hunting. This method of obtaining food required cooperation and participation of each member of the group, except for the smallest children. The condition of cultural gathering and hunting was portability and small size of such groups. Due to the fact that the number of products in their areas of residence often reduced, it made them all the time to change the areas of leaving, to travel in search of new territories rich in food (Farooq). There were relatively stable annual trails associated with seasonal fruit maturation, spawning fish migration and breeding animals. During the year, every band could have changed four or five places of leaving. A leader was not selected in this society, but all the decisions were made by the whole group generally and bands had egalitarian character (Farooq).
Tribe
We can assume that the tribe is considered to be a more complex form band. The tribe occupied the outlined area and defended it against external enemies. Their political system was also much alike to a band, but the difference was the size, as it was a bit bigger and also was egalitarian. Also, while talking about tribes, it should be noted that except the collection and hunting they also had agriculture and herding. Also, this type of society tended to pick a leader, and he was chosen by the age, experience and wisdom (Farooq).
Chiefdom
After the appearance of the reproducing economy, important changes in public sector organizations had occurred. Collective ownership of the industrial area remained the same, but some families have tried to get the ownership of house, outbuildings, land and livestock. The egalitarian principle of distribution was gradually displaced by labor (Sociopolitical Organization). The dimensions of the community rose to several hundred or even thousands of people. Communities have become generic and multi-segmental (dissected).
The structure of the chiefdom has slowly hierarchical nature. Although traditionally the most important issues were decided at a meeting of adult relatives, the importance of military and religious leaders (which can be combined in one person) was increasing (Chiefdoms and States). The order and the power began to be secured by certain families, and fight for it created systems of leadership. Potential leaders tried to enlist the support of as many members of the community as possible. Due to this, they expanded the marriage relationship, arranged banquets, and assisted relatives. The leader was called the Chief and the main feature of this power was the hereditary (Farooq). Members of the society were divided into groups depending on gender and age. For different gender and age groups, there were different standards of behavior. However, individual livelihoods, still firmly subordinated to the interests of the whole chiefdom. Those who disagreed with the majority opinion could have been forced to leave the community.
The most difficult of these types is the state. It is characterized by the established political power and centralization of power, based on law (Chiefdoms and States). The population is large - tens and hundreds of thousands. The state has no family ties, and all the communities are different among each other. Thus, unlike the social organization of primitive society, the state was the new political, territorial and structured entity. The state separated from society as a distinct group of people whose main occupation was governance, organizational activities. In her new management tools courts, prisons, police, army and other agencies that can apply coercion occurred. Unlike the primitive society, the state had a territorial entity, started a sedentary lifestyle, and also market development began (Chiefdoms and States).
Thus, we can conclude that a chiefdom is a transition form from tribe to state. It includes all the previous features of the bands and tribes and also adds it’s new ones. The main features are a creation of initial private property, a power was given to the leader, who was called the Chief and his family, a tradition of succession was formed. Also, the main feature is a transition from gathering and hunting to agriculture and husbandry. Accordingly, the study of the formation of modern society is extremely informative and interesting, and important stage in the study of evolution generally.
Works Cited
Farooq, Umar “Classification of Societies: Bands, Tribes, Chiefdom & State” Study Lecture Notes. 2.11.2014. Web. 5.06.2016. <http://www.studylecturenotes.com/basics-of-sociology/classification-of-societies-band-tribes-chiefdom-state>
“Bands and Tribes”. Anthro.palomar. Web. 5.06.2016. <http://anthro.palomar.edu/political/pol_2.htm>
“Chiefdoms and States”. Anthro.palomar. Web. 5.06.2016. <http://anthro.palomar.edu/political/pol_3.htm>
“Sociopolitical Organization”. cabrillo.edu. Web. 5.06.2016. <http://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/sociopolit_org.html>
