Four Visions of Society (Summary)
Four Visions of Society
The concept of society refers to people who interact in a defined territory and share culture. The four visions of society addresses the forces that shape human life.
GERHARD AND JEAN LENSKI: SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY
The first vision, Gerhard and Jean Lenski focus their research on sociocultural evolution, or the changes that occur as a society gains new technology. There were five types of societies, namely: (1) Hunting and Gathering Societies, (2) Horticultural and Pastoral Societies, (3) Agrarian Societies, (4) Industrial Societies, and (5) Postindustrial Societies.
Hunting and Gathering refers to the use of simple tools to hunt animals and gather vegetation. These type of societies are family centered, specializing limited to age and sex; little social inequality.
Horticultural and Pastoral Societies were based on Horticulture and Pastoralism. Horticulture refers to the use of hand tools to raise crops while Pastoralism refers to domestication of animals. Both of these strategies are capable of producing material surpluses and greater social inequality. These type of societies are family centered; religious system begins to develop, moderate specialization; increased social inequality.
Agrarian societies were basically based on Agriculture, or the large-scale cultivation using plows harnessed to animals or more powerful energy sources. These type of societies are family lose significance as distinct religious, political and economic systems emerge; extensive specialization; increased social inequality. Lenskis call this era the "dawn of civilization."
Industrial Societies were based on Industrialism, or the production of goods using advanced sources of energy to drive large machinery. These type of societies are distinct religious, political, economic, educational, and family systems; highly specialized; marked social inequality persists.
Lastly, the Postindustrial Societies, which were based from Postindustrialism, or production
The concept of society refers to people who interact in a defined territory and share culture. The four visions of society addresses the forces that shape human life.
GERHARD AND JEAN LENSKI: SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY
The first vision, Gerhard and Jean Lenski focus their research on sociocultural evolution, or the changes that occur as a society gains new technology. There were five types of societies, namely: (1) Hunting and Gathering Societies, (2) Horticultural and Pastoral Societies, (3) Agrarian Societies, (4) Industrial Societies, and (5) Postindustrial Societies.
Hunting and Gathering refers to the use of simple tools to hunt animals and gather vegetation. These type of societies are family centered, specializing limited to age and sex; little social inequality.
Horticultural and Pastoral Societies were based on Horticulture and Pastoralism. Horticulture refers to the use of hand tools to raise crops while Pastoralism refers to domestication of animals. Both of these strategies are capable of producing material surpluses and greater social inequality. These type of societies are family centered; religious system begins to develop, moderate specialization; increased social inequality.
Agrarian societies were basically based on Agriculture, or the large-scale cultivation using plows harnessed to animals or more powerful energy sources. These type of societies are family lose significance as distinct religious, political and economic systems emerge; extensive specialization; increased social inequality. Lenskis call this era the "dawn of civilization."
Industrial Societies were based on Industrialism, or the production of goods using advanced sources of energy to drive large machinery. These type of societies are distinct religious, political, economic, educational, and family systems; highly specialized; marked social inequality persists.
Lastly, the Postindustrial Societies, which were based from Postindustrialism, or production