Types of society II What are the different types of society ?

Types of society 

Society has been classified into different types on various bases. Generally, society is classified on the basis of level of development and technology, livelihood, culture, language, religion, or other inequalities. English Anthropologist Sir Edward Burnett Taylor has classified society into Nomadic society, Barbarian society and civilized society. Sociologist Gerhard Lenski differentiates societies into hunters and Gatherers society, Simple Agricultural society, Advanced Agricultural society, Industrial society and Special society. Similarly, Karl Marx has classified it into Hunting and Gathering Society, Pastoral society, Feudal society, Capitalist society and Socialist society. 

Classification of Society and their bases 

Classification of society on the basis of economy 

1. Capitalist society 
2. Socialist society 
3. Mixed society 

Classification of society on the basis of language 

1. Unilingual society 
2. Bilingual society 
3. Multilingual society 

Classification of society on the basis of settlement 

1. Rural society 
2. Urban society 

Classification of society on the basis of religion 

1. Hindu society 
2. Buddhist society 
3. Muslim society 
4. Christian society etc. 

Classification of society on the basis of time 

1. Ancient society 
2. Medieval society 
3. Modern society 

Here, the societies have been classified according to subsistence strategies or in the ways humans use technology to fulfill their needs. 

1. Hunting and Gathering society 

It is considered as the first stage in the development of society. The main food source in such societies is the daily collection of wild plants and the hunting of wild animals. It is the simplest form of society. There was no permanent settlement. Humans used to move around constantly in search of food. There was no social relation like family, marriage, relatives, etc. They adopted such subsistence strategy to continue their existence. Gradually, they began to use stone weapons and tools for collecting wild plants and wild animals. In such societies, the human was only a consumer not a producer. Though, there was no division of labour, the males were involved in hunting and the females were involved in gathering foods. 

2. Pastoral/ Animal Rearing society 

The members of pastoral society depend on domesticated herd of animals to meet their needs of food. When human needs could not be fulfilled only with hunting and gathering, this type of society was formed. It is a slightly more efficient form of subsistence. In such society, the members live a nomadic life, moving their herds from one pasture to another. There, we can find the division of human society into having more cattle and having less cattle or having no cattle. The human needs are fulfilled through animal husbandry. Examples of this type of society can be found in Middle Asia, Tibet, Africa and Middle East. 

3. Horticultural society 

Various kinds of fruits and vegetables grown in gardens are the main source of food in this type of society. Some horticultural groups use the slash-and-burn method to increase their production. The wild vegetation is cut and burned, and ashes are used as fertilizers. Such type of society is found in Kenya and New Guinea. There are few societies in Nepal running their livelihood from horticulture. 

4. Agrarian/Agricultural society 

This type of society depends on the agricultural production for livelihood. There are two classes in the agrarian society; feudal class and peasant class. The agrarian society is believed to be started from Egypt. We can find majority of rural society depending on agriculture. People sustain by cultivating and growing crops in this type of society. 

5. Industrial Society 

The society running its members livelihood from industrial profession and producing more products for trading is known as industrial society. This type of society is considered to have emerged in 18th century. IN the industrial society, the industrialist is called capitalist and the people working in the industries are called laborers or proletariats. There is a huge gap between the rich and poor people in such societies. It is rich in cultural diversity. Such societies can be found in developed countries like USA, Japan, China, South Korea, etc. 

Different types of society and their prominent characteristics 

Agrarian Society: The people depend on agriculture for livelihood. 

Barbarian society: The people are uncivilized, brutal and uncultured. 

Capitalist society: The means of production are privately owned and producers compete to maximize their profit. The state does not interfere in their economic activities. The private  sectors run economic activities along with agriculture, industry and trade. 

Feudal society: The people receive land and protection from the landowner, and work and fight in war for him in return. 

Horticultural society: The people raise and tend plants, especially flowers, fruits and vegetables as the main source of their livelihood. 

Hunting and Gathering Society: The people sustain by hunting, fishing and gathering wild fruits and vegetables. 

Industrial society: The people work in manufacturing, trade and service by using technology to enable mass production. 

Nomadic society: The people have no fixed residence and move from place to place in search of food and water. 

Pastoral society: The social and economic system is based on the raising and herding of livestocks. 

Socialist society: The means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned by the community collectively, usually through the state.