Final answer:
The different ways that societies meet their basic survival needs are termed 'modes of subsistence,' which include gathering-hunting, pastoralism, plant cultivation, and industrialism/post-industrialism. These modes encompass production, exchange, and consumption practices, and shape societal roles and cultural values.
Step-by-step explanation:
The different ways that people in different societies go about meeting their basic survival needs are called modes of subsistence. These modes of subsistence are patterns of how societies produce, exchange, and consume goods and materials necessary for survival such as food, clothing, shelter, and health. There are four primary modes: gathering-hunting, pastoralism, plant cultivation, and industrialism/post-industrialism. Each provides a unique set of strategies for working with the environment to meet these needs.
These modes of subsistence not only address the production and allocation of resources but also shape social roles, trade, and cultural values. For instance, gathering-hunting societies like the Hadza are mobile and generally egalitarian, while pastoral societies like the Bedouin may be mobile but exhibit wealth accumulation through herd animals. Plant cultivation can be practiced through either extensive horticulture or intensive agriculture, leading to settled communities and sometimes the development of cities and specialized crafts. Finally, industrialism and post-industrialism represent highly technologically developed methods of production and consumption that greatly affect a society's organization and its environmental interaction.
Societies may rely primarily on one mode while combining others to adapt to changing conditions such as population pressures or climate change. These modes not only help in understanding how societies have historically met their basic needs but also provide insight into contemporary economic and environmental issues faced by cultures around the world.