Final answer:
Marshall Sahlins termed foragers 'the original affluent society' due to their sufficient food sources, healthy lifestyle, and ample leisure time, along with their egalitarian social structures, marking a sharp contrast to agricultural and industrial societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anthropologist Marshall Sahlins described foragers as the 'original affluent society' because, contrary to the view that these societies were destitute and constantly struggling for survival, research has shown that they actually may have enjoyed both material and social abundance, strong health, and significant leisure time. Sahlins's observation comes from ethnographic studies indicating that foragers, such as the Dobe Ju/'hoansi, have ample food, good nutrition, and plenty of time for social activities, with work limited to just part of the week. Furthermore, the egalitarian nature of their societies and their ability to live well without the need for surplus accumulation highlight a form of affluence different from the material wealth associated with agricultural and industrial societies.
Foragers are capable of adjusting to local availability of resources, eating locally, and having flexible diets, contrasting with the vulnerabilities of societies reliant on agriculture and global trade. Agricultural societies introduced social stratification based on property and wealth accumulation, whereas foragers often maintained egalitarian social structures due to their lifestyles lacking the need for wealth accumulation and the resulting inegalitarian social hierarchies. In essence, foragers present a model of society that has successfully adapted to its environment without creating disparities seen in more advanced economies.