Equality in politics is defined as equal decision-making power based on democracy and individual autonomy.
Hunter-gatherer societies exhibited gender equality, better health, and diverse lifestyles compared to farmers.
Immediate return economies in hunter-gatherer societies promote egalitarianism through equal access to resources and collective actions.
Deep dives
Revisiting the Notion of Equality in Politics
In the podcast episode, the concept of equality in politics is thoroughly examined. Equality is defined as equal decision-making power, not based on physical attributes but on democracy and individual autonomy. The analysis delves into how equality of power implies economic equality, absence of authority figures, and non-existence of power hierarchies based on cultural discrimination.
Debunking Assumptions About Hunter-Gatherer Societies
The podcast challenges long-held assumptions about hunter-gatherer societies. It highlights that these societies were not male-dominated but exhibited gender equality and autonomy for women. Contrary to previous beliefs, hunter-gatherers were better nourished and healthier than farmers, worked fewer hours, and enjoyed a more diverse and less intensive lifestyle.
Examining Immediate Return Economies and Egalitarian Societies
The episode discusses the unique characteristics of immediate return economies in hunter-gatherer societies that promote egalitarianism. It emphasizes societies where individuals have equal access to food and resources, practice open access to knowledge and skills, and prevent dominance through collective actions. The analysis sheds light on the evolutionary implications of such egalitarian structures and their impact on societal dynamics.
Importance of Traditional Tribal Systems
Traditional tribal systems exist as a means of managing collective property, such as fishing or farming territories, through descent groups like clans or tribes. These systems provide clear ownership rules and defensive capabilities for the community. Whether it's controlling hunting territories like the Mikma or managing farming territories like the Huron, tribal organization indicates a need to manage collective property.
Interpreting the Concept of Equality
The term 'equality' sparks debates on its meaning, ranging from an ideology of sameness to a situation where individuals truly have equal access and rights. In the context of societal power dynamics, true equality implies celebrating individual significance regardless of differences. This perspective emphasizes equality of power and the importance of individual contributions within a community, challenging traditional views and highlighting the complexities of defining and implementing equality.
In this episode we read and critique the conclusion of Chapter 2 of Dawn of Everything, “Wicked Liberty: The Indigenous Critique and the Myth of the Noble Savage”, which was previously released in French in 2019 as La Sagesse de Kandiaronk.
Given that the conclusion of the chapter is a tirade against the concept of “equality” we first examine what the world equality means in a political context, and what the term “egalitarian society” implies, followed by an examination of the history of the anthropological literature on egalitarian hunter gatherer societies.
We also cover material from Graeber’s Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology and On Kings in order to look at how his treatment of egalitarian societies over his career routinely ignored 50 years of research on extremely egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies, a practice which he and Wengrow continue in this chapter.
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