James C. Scott on The Perils of State Power
The Good Fight
Nature's Abundance Fuels Hunter-Gatherer Ease
In historical contexts, hunter-gatherer societies thrived in rich ecological zones, allowing them to live with relative ease and minimal effort. These societies effectively timed their hunting activities with the natural migrations of game, such as the salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest, which provided ample nutrition within short periods. For instance, in just two weeks, they could secure enough salmon to meet their protein needs for an entire year. Contemporary hunter-gatherers also utilize about half of their time on subsystems rather than constant foraging, indicating they work efficiently rather than facing daily survival challenges.
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