18. What are some of the problems of complex societies?
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With complex societies and large concentrations of people, several issues appeared. [1]
Effects of Trade
First, emerging social and culture differences created classes and caused internal conflict. In early complex societies the divide between the governing class and the general mass was especially serious. The surplus of food produced trade, which required an authority to keep it fair. It also freed up more time, allowing for specializations. Between these two effects, a system of classes formed and therefore power, wealth, and labor was divided unevenly, granting more spoils to the upper classes. Another effect of the excessive harvest was the concept of wealth and the resulting issue of security.
Security pressured the settlers into building individual buildings and taking safety measures. Another result would be internal conflict and social unrest. In fact, a new class was formed due to security issues-the soldiers. They enforced the legal system created to uphold property ownership. Also, as people became more independent, crime also became more proliferant.
Population Issues
Secondly, the dense living areas required hygiene. The human and animal population boom of agrarian societies in dense spaces forced them to form some sort of hygienic practices, as they were without the freedom of nomadic hunter-gatherers. The proximity of humans to animals allowed diseases to jump species, and spread quickly due to population concentration. Many illnesses are famous today as fatal historical disasters- Black Plague, avian flu, and tuberculosis. Similarly, epidemics flourished in the tight-knit towns and villages of the Fertile Crescent.
Third, the dramatic increase in population also increased demands on land and food supply and caused disputes over desirable goods. The rate of crime required security, as said before, and also a government as the ultimate authority. The government, as such a figure, demanded taxes for public works and other endeavors, such as war.
War was a major issue as human population increased, requiring more land per family. Entire civilizations soon fought for wealth, creating human against human death.
Credits
LM p.50 and p. 58
Created by Linda Yu
