Compare foraging group & food producing
Foraging groups tend to move around a lot. They are often hungry, depending upon what food they can find. Farmers tend to live in groups and produce as much food as they can eat -- and often a surplus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foraging
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_agriculture
The Potlatch: An Example of Negative Reciprocity. Why is this considered to be an unusual example of negative reciprocity?
http://anthro.palomar.edu/economy/econ_3.htm
Foraging groups and food producing societies are two different types of societal organization and economic systems that have been observed throughout human history. Here's a comparison between the two:
1. Economic Basis:
- Foraging Groups: Foraging, also known as hunter-gatherer societies, rely on the gathering of wild plants, fruits, nuts, and hunting of animals for survival. They have a nomadic lifestyle, moving from one resource-rich area to another in search of food.
- Food Producing Societies: Food producing societies, such as agricultural or pastoral societies, engage in the cultivation of crops or the domestication of animals to produce food. They rely on settled communities and the cultivation of crops or the raising of livestock.
2. Social Structure:
- Foraging Groups: Foragers typically live in small, mobile bands or tribes, consisting of extended kinship networks. Decision-making is often based on consensus, and hierarchical structures are relatively flat. Gender roles may be relatively egalitarian.
- Food Producing Societies: As societies shift from foraging to agriculture, there is often a transition toward larger, more sedentary communities. These societies can exhibit more complex social hierarchies, with distinct roles for rulers, priests, and other specialized occupations.
3. Technological Advancements:
- Foraging Groups: Foragers rely on simple tools and technologies, such as stone or bone implements, to hunt, gather, and prepare food. They have a deep knowledge of their environment and utilize it to sustain their needs.
- Food Producing Societies: Food producers develop more advanced technologies, such as plows, irrigation systems, and metal tools, to enhance agricultural productivity and increase the surplus food available for larger populations.
4. Food Availability and Surplus:
- Foraging Groups: Foragers depend on the immediate availability of resources in their environment. They typically have a sustainable lifestyle, as they move to different locations to exploit available resources. However, resource scarcity or environmental changes can lead to periods of food insecurity.
- Food Producing Societies: Food producers have the potential to create surplus food beyond immediate consumption. Agriculture provides a more predictable and stable food supply, supporting larger populations and facilitating the development of complex civilizations.
5. Impact on the Environment:
- Foraging Groups: Foraging societies generally have a lower impact on the environment as they rely on the sustainable extraction of resources from the land. They have a deep understanding of ecosystems and often practice sustainable resource management.
- Food Producing Societies: Food production, particularly intensive agriculture, can lead to significant environmental changes. Environmental impacts may include deforestation, soil degradation, pollution from agricultural practices, and the alteration of natural landscapes.
It is important to note that the transition from foraging to food production marked a significant shift in human history, leading to the development of more complex societies, the rise of cities, and the advancement of civilization.