Rethinking Social Evolution
The Perspective from Middle-Range Societies
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
| Author: | Jérôme Rousseau | ISBN: | 9780773578166 |
| Publisher: | MQUP | Publication: | October 26, 2006 |
| Imprint: | MQUP | Language: | English |
| Author: | Jérôme Rousseau |
| ISBN: | 9780773578166 |
| Publisher: | MQUP |
| Publication: | October 26, 2006 |
| Imprint: | MQUP |
| Language: | English |
The focus of Rousseau's enquiry is "middle-range" societies - a vast category between hunter-gatherers and states. Breaking away from traditional analyses of social evolution as a response to ecological constraints, he shows that social systems are maintained and transformed through self-interest and suggests that conflicts about sharing generate social transformations that result in inequality and increasingly encompassing socio-political structures.
The focus of Rousseau's enquiry is "middle-range" societies - a vast category between hunter-gatherers and states. Breaking away from traditional analyses of social evolution as a response to ecological constraints, he shows that social systems are maintained and transformed through self-interest and suggests that conflicts about sharing generate social transformations that result in inequality and increasingly encompassing socio-political structures.
