INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SCIENCES:

TOPIC OF ASSIGNMENT TYPES OF SOCIETIES:

SUBMITTED BY:HAFZA SAJAWAL

SUBMITTED TO:MAM DHANAK

SUBJECT :INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (ELTS)

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD

DEFINITION OF SOCIETY
A society is a group of individuals that are involved in persistent social interaction, or a large
social group sharing the same territory.

A crucial aspect of society is social cohesion, which refers to the ability of a

community to function well by ensuring the well-being of all its members,
minimizing disparities, and fostering a sense of belonging among individuals,
ultimately leading to a more stable and resilient society; this includes promoting
cooperation, shared values, and a sense of shared responsibility
EXAMPLES OF SOCIETY

Village Society A small group of people living in a rural area, often following traditional
customs and helping each other.

City Society A large and diverse group of people living in an urban area with different
professions, cultures, and lifestyles.

Religious Society A group of people who follow the same religion and participate in
religious activities together, like a church community or an Islamic center.

Business Society People involved in trade, companies, and industries, working together to
grow the economy.

Online Society A virtual community where people interact on social media, gaming
platforms, or discussion forums.

Cultural Society A group that promotes art, music, literature, or traditions of a specific
region or country.

Student Society A group of students in a school or university who work together for
educational, social, or recreational activities.

ROLE OF SOCIETY

A society plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's identity, providing a framework

for their behavior, fulfilling basic needs, and enabling them to develop social skills through
interactions with others, essentially acting as a foundation for a person to live and
thrive within a community
Sociological Classification of Societies
There are different ways to classify societies. Gerhard Lenski differentiated five main types
of societies (Lenski, 1974, p. 96), while Morton Fried and Elman Service differentiated six.
Contemporary sociologists tend to differentiate five types that are slightly different from
those of Lenski

These five types fall into three broader categories:

1. pre-industrial,
2. Industrial and
3. Post-industrial

Pre-industrial societies can be further subdivided into four different types:

Types of Societies:

1. Hunting and Gathering Societies

2. Pastoral Societies
3. Horticulture Societies
4. Agriculture Societies
5. Industrial Societies
6. Post Industrial Societies

1.Hunting-and-Gathering Societies

Definition of Hunter
A hunter is a person who tracks and kills animals for food, clothing, or survival. Hunters
use tools like bows, spears, and traps to catch wild animals.

Definition of Gathering

Gathering is the act of collecting natural food resources like fruits, nuts, roots, and
berries from the environment. It is an important way of getting food without farming.
Definition of Hunter-Gathering Society
A hunter-gathering society is a community where people hunt animals and
gather wild plants instead of farming. This was the earliest form of human
survival before agriculture began.

INTRODUCTION: Beginning about 250,000 years ago, hunting-and-gathering societies

are the oldest ones we know of; few of them remain today, partly because modern societies
have encroached on their existence. As the name hunting-and-gathering implies, people in
these societies both hunt for food and gather plants and other vegetation. They have few
possessions other than some simple hunting-and-gathering equipment. To ensure their mutual
survival, everyone is expected to help find food and also to share the food they find. To seek
their food, -and-gathering peoples often move from place to place. Because they are nomadic,
their societies tend to be quite small, often consisting of only a few dozen people

Compare and contrast:

Lifestyle: Hunters are nomadic and follow the animals they hunt, whereas gatherers are more stationary
and collect food from the surrounding area. Diet: Hunters rely on animal protein for their diet, while
gatherers consume mostly plant-based foods.

Technology: Hunters use more advanced tools like spears, bows and arrows to hunt animals, while
gatherers use basic tools like digging sticks, baskets and nets to gather food.

Gender roles: In hunting societies, men are the primary hunters, while women take on the role of
gatherers. In gathering societies, both men and women participate in gathering food.

Social structure: Hunting societies tend to be more hierarchical with a clear leader, whereas gathering
societies are more egalitarian with decision-making shared among the group.
Similarities
Food acquisition: Both hunting and gathering are methods of obtaining food for survival.

Dependence on nature: Both hunting and gathering rely on natural resources and
ecosystems for food.
Traditional practices: Both hunting and gathering have been traditional practices in many
cultures for centuries.

Differences
Method of food acquisition: Hunting involves actively pursuing and killing animals for
food, while gathering involves collecting plant-based foods such as fruits, nuts, and berries.
Skill and strategy: Hunting requires specialized skills and strategies, such as tracking,
stalking, and using weapons, whereas gathering typically involves searching for and
collecting edible plants.

Physical demands: Hunting can be physically demanding, requiring strength, endurance, and
agility, whereas gathering is often less physically demanding and may involve more walking
and

Examples of hunter-gatherer activities:

Hunting Deer or Rabbits – Using spears, bows, or traps to catch animals for food.

Fishing in Rivers or Lakes – Catching fish using nets, spears, or simple fishing rods

Gathering Wild Fruits – Picking berries, apples, or mangoes from trees.

Collecting Nuts and Seeds – Gathering almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds from the
forest.
Harvesting Wild Honey – Finding beehives in trees and carefully taking honey.

PASTORAL SOCIETY

MEANING:

A pastoral society is a group of people who herd and care for animals while living
a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. The term "pastoral" comes from the Latin
word pastor, which means "shepherd".
DEFINITION:

A pastoral society is a community that primarily relies on domesticating, herding, and

breeding animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels for food, trade, and livelihood.
These societies are often nomadic or semi-nomadic, moving to find grazing land for

Examples:

1. Maasai (East Africa - Kenya & Tanzania) – Herd cattle as their main source of
food, wealth, and culture.
2. Mongols (Central Asia) – Traditionally herded horses, yaks, and sheep while living
in portable tents (yurts).
3. Bedouins (Middle East & North Africa) – Nomadic tribes that herd camels, goats,
and sheep in desert areas.
4. Sami (Northern Europe - Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia) – Herd reindeer for
meat, milk, and clothing.
5. Kazakh Nomads (Kazakhstan & Central Asia) – Raise sheep, horses, and camels
in the vast steppes.
 Comparison and Contrast of Pastoral Societies
Differences:

• Pastoralists depend on animals, while agricultural societies depend on crops.

• Pastoral societies are mobile, moving with their herds, while agricultural societies
settle in one place.
• Hunter-gatherers do not domesticate animals or farm, while pastoralists raise
livestock.

Similarities:

• Both pastoral and agricultural societies domesticate animals (but for different
purposes).
• All three societies depend on nature for survival.
• All developed unique tools and skills to adapt to their environments.

Conclusion:

Pastoral societies are a middle stage between hunter-gatherers and farmers. They do not
fully rely on crops but are more advanced than early humans who only hunted and gathered
food.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY:

DEFINITION:
A horticultural society is a community that primarily relies on small-scale farming using simple
tools like hoes and digging sticks to grow fruits, vegetables, and crops for food. These societies
usually practice subsistence farming, meaning they grow just enough for their own needs, and they
often settle in one place rather than moving frequently.

INTRODUCTION

A horticultural society is distinguished from other societal types primarily by its focus on
small-scale cultivation of a diverse range of plants using simple tools and human labor for
subsistence, unlike agricultural societies which prioritize large-scale crop production and
often utilize advanced technology to generate surpluses for trade; horticultural societies tend
to be more mobile, moving to new areas as soil fertility declines, while agricultural societies
establish permanent settlements.
Examples:

1. Yanomami (Amazon Rainforest, South America) – A tribe that grows bananas,

cassava, and sweet potatoes using shifting cultivation.
2. Hmong (Southeast Asia) – Traditionally practice slash-and-burn farming to grow
rice, maize, and vegetables.
3. Samoans (Pacific Islands) – Rely on taro, breadfruit, and coconut farming for
sustenance.
4. Iban (Borneo, Malaysia & Indonesia) – Grow rice and fruits while living in
longhouses in the rainforest.
5. Chinantec (Mexico) – Indigenous people who farm corn, beans, and chili peppers in
forested regions

Comparison and Contrast of Horticultural Society with Other Societies

Differences:

• Horticultural societies grow crops, while pastoral societies raise animals.

• Agricultural societies use advanced farming, while horticulturalists use basic tools.
• Hunter-gatherers do not farm or herd animals, while horticulturalists cultivate
plants.

Similarities:

• Both horticultural and agricultural societies practice farming, but on different scales.
• Both horticultural and pastoral societies can be semi-nomadic, depending on
resources.
• All societies depend on nature for survival but use different methods.

Conclusion:

Horticultural societies represent an early stage of farming, more advanced than hunting and
gathering but less developed than large-scale agriculture. They balance between small-scale
crop cultivation and occasional mobility, unlike

INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

An industrial society is a social structure where the economy is primarily driven by

large-scale manufacturing and factory production, characterized by mass
production, specialized labor, urbanization, and a shift from agrarian practices to
mechanized industry, often resulting in significant social changes like increased
social stratification based on occupation and the emergence of large
corporations; compared to pre-industrial societies which relied heavily on
agriculture and traditional practices, industrial societies exhibit a more complex
division of labor, higher levels of technological advancement, and a focus on
producing goods for a wider market.
Examples of Industrial Societies

Industrial societies rely on factories, machines, and mass production to produce goods.
They have urbanized populations, advanced transportation, and strong economies based on
manufacturing and industry

Examples:

1. United Kingdom (Industrial Revolution Leader) – The first country to industrialize

in the 18th century, focusing on textiles, coal, and steel production.
2. United States (19th & 20th Century) – Developed industries like automobile
manufacturing (Ford, General Motors), steel production, and railroads.
3. Germany – A major industrial power producing automobiles (BMW, Mercedes),
machinery, and chemicals.
4. Japan – Grew into an industrial powerhouse after World War II, with strong
electronics, robotics, and automobile industries (Toyota, Honda, Sony).
5. China – The world’s largest manufacturing country, producing electronics, textiles,
and industrial goods.

Comparison and Contrast of Industrial Society with Other Societies

Differences:

• Industrial societies use machines and factories, while agricultural societies rely on
farming.
• Pastoral societies depend on animals, whereas industrial societies focus on
technology.
• Hunter-gatherers do not produce goods, while industrial societies mass-produce
items for trade.
• Industrial societies are highly urbanized, whereas other societies are more rural or
nomadic.

Similarities:

• Both industrial and agricultural societies have settled populations.

• Agricultural and pastoral societies depend on natural resources for survival.
• All societies develop unique skills and tools to adapt to their environment

Conclusion:

Industrial societies represent the most advanced stage of economic and technological
development, shifting from manual labor to machine-based production. They have larger
populations, complex social structures, and advanced economies compared to earlier
societies.

POST INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

A "post-industrial society" refers to a societal stage where the economy shifts from
primarily producing physical goods to primarily providing services, meaning the
service sector, like healthcare, education, and finance, dominates the workforce
and economic growth, unlike the manufacturing-focused industrial societies that
came before it; essentially, knowledge and information become more valuable than
tangible products, with advanced technology playing a crucial role in this
transition.
Examples of Post-Industrial Societies

Post-industrial societies focus on technology, services, and information rather than

manufacturing or agriculture. These societies have advanced economies based on industries
like IT, finance, healthcare, and education.

Examples:

1. United States – A leader in technology (Google, Apple, Microsoft), finance (Wall

Street), and entertainment (Hollywood).
2. Japan – Specializes in robotics, AI, and digital services, with major companies like
Sony, Toyota, and SoftBank.
3. Germany – Known for high-tech industries, advanced research, and strong finance
and service sectors.
4. South Korea – A major hub for electronics and innovation, with companies like
Samsung and LG.
5. United Kingdom – Focuses on finance, media, education, and technology, with cities
like London being financial centers.

Comparison and Contrast of Post-Industrial Society with Other Societies

Post-industrial societies focus on technology, services, and information, rather than

manufacturing or farming. Let’s compare them with industrial, agricultural, pastoral,
horticultural, and hunter-gatherer societies.

Differences:

• Post-industrial societies rely on technology and services, while industrial societies

depend on factories and mass production.
• Agricultural, pastoral, and horticultural societies focus on natural food
production, while post-industrial societies import or mass-produce food.
• Post-industrial societies have digital workplaces, whereas all other societies rely
on manual labor.
• Hunter-gatherer and pastoral societies are nomadic, while post-industrial
societies are highly urbanized.
Similarities:

• Both post-industrial and industrial societies have complex economies and global
trade.
• Post-industrial and agricultural societies support large populations and need
strong infrastructures.
• All societies depend on natural resources but post-industrial societies use
technology to manage them.

Conclusion:

Post-industrial societies represent the most advanced stage of social and economic
development, where knowledge, innovation, and services replace factories and farming as
the main economic drivers.

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