Hierarchical Redistribution

Until recently any notable philosopher, artist, poet or musician was required to find a wealthy patron for support. In much of papua new guinea, social life centers on big men who spend much of their time coaxing, cajoling and manipulating in order to acquire masses of wealth. When this is all that's going on, we may speak of an absolutely minimal sort of hierarchy. But actually, such chiefs have no power to compel any one to do anything they don't want to.