Final answer:
The primary means of exchange in a chiefdom is redistribution, where goods are collected by the chief and then distributed throughout the community to provide for various needs and maintain the social structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary means of exchange or distributing goods in a chiefdom is redistribution. In these societies, goods collected from the community, like agricultural products or labor, are accumulated by the leaders or chiefs and then distributed according to the needs and status of individuals within the society. This can often take the form of chiefs providing protection, infrastructure, and organization in return for the goods collected.
Redistribution is a common feature of chiefdoms. In precolonial Hawaii, for example, commoners provided tribute to the chiefs, which was then redistributed to provide government services. This system ensures that wealth is circulated throughout the community and that elites are able to maintain their status and provide for the society.
Other forms of exchange such as generalized reciprocity, balanced reciprocity, and negative reciprocity can be observed within different contexts and relationships in a society. However, for chiefdoms, redistribution is the primary economic system that aligns with their social and political structure.