Comparing Social and Political Structures in Small-Scale and Large-Scale Cultures

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The key social characteristics of “small-scale” cultures are that they are often made up of nomadic bands of 30-100 people that are only regarded as different by their ages and genders, with very little emphasis put on status. “Large-scale” cultures are made up of about 200-2,000 people, settlements and groups increase to become cities and states. As the cultures get larger more emphasis is put on families, and status is more heavily influenced by wealth. The larger the culture gets the less possible it is to easily change one's status. The key political characteristics of “small-scale” cultures are that they do not have formal leaders and are often very egalitarian. There’s very little conflict within groups, because of the size of the group. “Large-scale” cultures have leaders and chiefs. As cultures get larger there is more need for authority and defined ways to maintain conflicts. “Small-scale” cultures do not have specialized jobs for people, unless someone is very spiritually gifted. They maintain sustenance …show more content…

Socially, though, the steel axe did affect the Yir Yoront. Men could not go out and build his own axe and utilize his trading partners, he instead had to attend mission events and either be lucky or try to impress the missionaries in order to get the gift of a steel axe. A man could no longer rely on himself and his connections for an axe, but had to depend on the missionaries to supply him with an axe. Another social change arose when the missionaries granted women their own personal axe, women would no longer have to request an axe from a man. This made women equal to men, and no longer subordinates. Steel axes given by missionaries hindered the need for trading partners, meaning less people showed up for dry season ceremonies and

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