Social Change

1. Social Change From Chap 10 (not assigned) Three great evolutionary transformations: 1. The Neolithic Revolutions 2. The rise of agrarian states 3. The Capitalist Revolutions Will there be a fourth trans? (Marx, etc.)

2. Social Change Chap 2 The emergence of village life From nomadic H-Gs to settled “tribal” life

3. Social Change Chap 3 Expansion (as surplus grows) Tribes to Chiefdoms to State Civilizations Growing complexity Surplus, Trade, Property The State becomes the “driver” of development

4. Social Change Chap 4 Agrarian States Five Characteristics: 1. Nobility – Peasantry (basic classes) < 5% > 95% exploitation by organized military force --- extraction of surplus - rent, taxes, tribute

5. Social Change 2. Most production still for use, not exchange -- and surpluses are still relatively small. Many merchants were rich, but low status, (like organized crime bosses today) Marginalized

6. Social Change 3. Little organized class conflict or resistance by peasants. • Conflict of interests? • sporadic class conflict (e.g., “robin hood” legends) • peasant rebellions • etc.

7. Social Change 4. Held together by military force -- not religion or “tradition” The Church increasingly sided with the nobility/landowners and became a major landowner itself – peasants resisted the church too in favor of earlier pagan beliefs.

8. Social Change 5. Very slow social change Little basic change over many centuries -- but led to big leap -- Feudalism/Capitalism.

9. Social Change Why such slow change?? During and after the neolithic revolutions change was rapid and accelerating. HG -> P&H -> AG -> STATE & CIV over a few thousand years. Then more than 4000 years until next major change (capitalism). Why?

10. Social Change 1. No incentives for either nobility or peasants to improve. peasants - gains taken away (exploitation) nobility - easier to expand (conquest)

11. Social Change 2. Instability of rule by nobility -- in-fighting over wealth/power, wars (i.e., surplus taken from peasants)

12. Social Change How did capitalism ever emerge under these circumstances?? Long-term, gradual “behind back” changes.

13. Social Change Population growth • Growth in size and power of states/empires • Technological growth (economy and military) • Expansion of trade (geographic and scale) Scans

14. Sanderson p. 103

15. Sanderson page 104

16. Sanderson page 112 Enlargements

25. Summary -- Up to about 1500

26. Social Change During 4,500 years (3000 bc to 1500 ad) Growth and collapse of agrarian-based empires - not just Rome, all over the world. Urban elites vs. Rural peasants focus on extraction of surplus. Easier to conquer than control – but diminishing marginal returns.

27. Social Change With expansion of trade From water to land transport (slower, less efficient). Much larger military to support (parasitic population). Local elites competing for piece of pie. Unconquered “barbarians” nibbling at edges of empire. Internal conflict among elites.

28. Social Change These changes + circumstances of 3 classes Nobility -- Parasite class living off surplus of peasants - taken by force, traditional urban-based aristocracy Inflexible and unable to adapt Problems growing larger (military, internal conflict, resistance)

29. Social Change Peasants -- Traditional, rural, agriculture, life unchanging over centuries, generation after generation. Merchants -- Outcasts, but growing richer, more organized, technologically advanced, etc. “a cancer growing on agricultural societies”