Final answer:
People lived in tribal societies for much of human history, characterized by acephalous sociopolitical organization with family structures and councils for decision-making, distinct from centralized chiefdoms and states.
Step-by-step explanation:
For much of human history, people lived in societies characterized by a tribal sociopolitical organization. The concept of tribal societies, as defined by anthropologist Elman Service, is linked to subsistence patterns such as pastoralism and horticulture. These societies are acephalous, meaning they have no central government; instead, they rely on extended family structures and/or councils for leadership, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Tribal communities typically have populations ranging from a few hundred to several thousand people and maintain social order through customs and traditions without the need for formal laws or leadership. This system of organization is distinct from more centralized forms such as chiefdoms and states, which came about as populations grew and became more hierarchical.
Throughout history, the spectrum of political organization has ranged from power being shared widely among community members to power being centralized in formal bureaucratic institutions. As such, anthropologists consider the diverse ways in which societies organize themselves and exercise authority, highlight the evolution from simple to more complex sociopolitical structures, and ultimately challenge the notion that without formal structure, human societies default to chaos.