Social & Cultural Evolution of Society

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Society is the child of evolution. Today, in the 21st century, we see a society more advanced and developed than ever before. Behind this contemporary phase, there is history of evolutionary phases of social and cultural development each marked with different features.

Social and Cultural Evolutionary Phases of Society
The most appropriate and cherished work of socio-cultural evolution of society is based on the study of primary means of subsistence. Taking these means as the focal point, sociologists have studies six major evolutionary phases of society which are explained characteristically below;

A. Hunting & Gathering Society
Individuals of this society used to find their subsistence on hunting the animals and gathering food from forest plants. This society being the earliest one was marked with following characteristics;

  • Mobile and Fluid
  • Consist of Nomadic People or Wanderers
  • Low population density
  • Division of labor was present
  • Lack of surplus food
  • Continuous struggle to seek food

B. Herding & Advance Herding Society
Individuals living in this society were dependent upon the herding of farm animals. Domesticated livestock was their primary means subsistence. This society carried following features;

  • Nomadic people who used to move in search for fresh pastures for animals
  • Division of labor was present
  • Food was adequate as along with hunting and gathering, herding became their source
  • Greater population density than in the previous society

As far as the society of advance herding is concerned, it developed with the introduction of modern mechanized methods of herding.

C. Horticultural Society
At this evolutionary phase of society, individuals begin to find resources of subsistence in cultivation of crops with the help of hand tools. This society was marked with following characteristics:

  • Larger population density
  • Establishment of rural life
  • Surplus food
  • Work in fields
  • Division of labor
  • Settled and non-nomadic society

D. Agrarian Society
Horticultural society transformed into agrarian society with the introduction of agriculture as a profession. In this society following characteristics were obvious:

  • Use of modern tools for agriculture
  • Introduction of money crops
  • Agriculture adopted as a profession
  • Surplus crop production
  • Accumulation of excessive crops
  • Sale of crops
  • Greater population density

E. Industrial Society
With the industrial revolution the society began the phase of rapid transformation. Establishing industry which aimed at larger mechanized production was marked with following features;

  • Institution of profit
  • Production
  • Laborers and wages concept
  • Working hours and idea of jobs
  • More than required food was available
  • Industrial revolutions in Europe in 18th and 19th centuries

F. Post Modern Society
After the industrial revolutions the means of subsistence changed and society faced a boost in advancement. Post Modern society became obvious with rise of following prospects;

  • Service oriented work
  • Large scale production
  • Age of information technology
  • Concepts of knowledge and Creativity
  • Extensive mechanization in society
  • Population boom
  • Vast urban centers

Conclusion
Society is mobile. It has transformed shape from in different phases of its evolution. Societal development is in fact a concept subject to the advancement of individual both intellectually and materially. Social development is a natural process monitored by human actions.

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