Question

List and describe each of the 4 major modes of subsistence.

Answer 1

There are four major modes of subsistence: gathering-hunting, pastoralism, plant cultivation, and industrialism/post-industrialism. Each mode encompasses different strategies for producing and distributing resources and shapes social organization and values within societies. Societies may primarily adhere to one mode but can incorporate elements from the others.

Step-by-step explanation:

Four Major Modes of Subsistence

Anthropologists identify four modes of subsistence that humans have relied on throughout history, which entail distinct strategies for production, allocation, and circulation of resources. These modes provide solutions for the basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, and health, as well as shape social roles and institutions. Below is a list of these modes with a brief description of each:

1. Gathering-Hunting: This mode is characterized by high mobility and relies on the natural abundance of the environment for food and resources. Societies practicing this mode tend to be egalitarian, without accumulated wealth or permanent settlements, although nuances exist depending on geographic location and resource availability.
2. Pastoralism: Pastoral societies are also mobile and depend on the herding of domesticated animals. These societies often have the ability to accumulate wealth in the form of animals, and they can vary in their social structures and norms.
3. Plant Cultivation: This strategy includes both extensive horticulture and intensive agriculture. With plant cultivation, societies tend to be settled and may develop surplus, which can lead to more complex social roles, including craft specialization and the emergence of cities.
4. Industrialism/Post-Industrialism: Unlike the prior three modes, industrialism and post-industrialism rely on large-scale, mechanized production and have integrated societies into the global capitalist market. These modes have significant impacts on the environment and other modes of subsistence, often leading to a shift away from traditional livelihoods. It's important to understand that while a society may primarily practice one mode of subsistence, they often incorporate elements from other modes, and changes can occur due to various factors like climate change, population pressures, and global markets.