LESSON 6:PROCESSES OF CULTURAL AND SOCIO-POLITICAL

EVOLUTION
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FROM PALEOLITHIC TO NEOLITHIC SOCIETIES
Early humans depended on their environment.Their society was called foraging societies.In
Human Societies:An Introduction to Macrosociology by American sociologist Gerhard
Lenski(1982),foraging societies were described as the oldest and simplest form of society.This
mainly covered Paleolithic Age 2.6 million years ago.Members of such society were nomadic and
subsisted mainly by hunting animals and gathering plants with the use of various stone tools and
weapons.

Men- in charge of hunting

Women-responsible for gathering food

From foraging came agriculture.Because the latter encouraged humans to have a permanent
homes,they were once again challenged to adapt to a new way of life.This period created
Neolithic societies.
Agricultural societies used technology in the cultivation of crops,a practice which sociologists
called Agricultural Revolution .Because of such advancement,food supplies increased,causing
larger populations than those earlier societies.This development implied a greater surplus,which
resulted in the establishment of towns and cities that became centers of trade.This phase
contributed to social divisions,dense populations,and gender inequality.
SELECTED THEORIES IN UNDERSTANDING THE GROWTH AND DOWNFALL OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
1.Hydraulic Civilization Theory
In Oriental Despotism(1957),German-American historian Karl Wittfogel described hydraulic
civilization as a civilization whose agriculture was dependent upon large-scale waterworks for
irrigation and flood control.Development of irrigation eventually led to utilization of mass
labor,organizational hierarchy in directing irrigation activities,and government control to ensure
proper distribution of water.
2.Challenge and Response Theory
British historian Arnold Toynbee examined the rise and fall of civilitions in is work,A Study of
History(1961).
Challenge and Response Theory -one of the central themes of Toynbee’s book.The idea behind
was that a challenge to a civilization should not be “too hard”or “too soft”-meaning too much of
a challenge could arrest the development of people,while too little of a challenge could leave
people soft and without ambition to improve their lot.Thus,a challenge that is right prompted a
response that advanced their development.
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
1.Egyptian Civilization
A great society emerged around 6000 BCE when people thrived in the Nile Valley. It was considered the
seat of an ancient Egyptian civilization that spanned over 4000 years. Ancient Egypt was under the rules
of a theocracy.A theocracy is a form of government in which the government claims to rule on behalf of
a god or deity. The pharaoh (highest Leader)promoted belief that he had the support of the gods. From
this came the idea of divine kingship – that the king was the divine representative of a god on
Earth.Ancient Egypt required efficiency and organization from its government and people to develop a
cohesive civilization
2.Chinese Civilization
Ancient China was known to have developed differently compared with other civilizations.The Great
Wall was built during the Qin dynasty under Shi Huangdi. In the later dynasties, Major Chinese
philosophies, such as Confucianism and Taoism, provided a wealth of knowledge the influenced the
whole world.
In China, a period of time ruled by a particular family was called Dynasty. When a dynasty declined
because of abuse of its power, it was said to lose the Mandate of Heaven or the favor of the gods. Such
acceptance of the mandate created a pattern to the rise and fall of these dynastic cycle.
Ancient Chinese society had a social hierarchy classifying the people into four social classes based on
occupation. On top of the social leader were the king and his family. They were followed by the Shi class
(gentry scholars), Nong class (merchants and traders).
3.Indus Valley Civilization
Dates back to 3000 BCE,located in Pakistan and northwest India today.
Understanding the history and culture of India requires a recognition of the “Soul of India,” Hinduism
reflects the complexity of Indian society – rich geography, language, creeds, racial diversity. Moreover it
is identified to have one of the most influential institutions -- the caste system.
For Buddhism, the primary purpose of life is to end suffering. Hence, recognizing the impertence of all
things and freeing oneself from attachment to such things lessen suffering.
Indus Valley Civilization saw the beginning of their decline by 1800 BCE.One of the reasons was the
drying of Saraswati River wile other experts spoke of a great flood in the said area.
4.Mesoamerican Civilization
The Olmecs, considered one of the forerunners of all subsequent Mesoamerican cultures,
thrived along Mexico’s gulf coast from roughly 1200 to 400 BC and are best known today for their
carved colossal heads. They lived in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico. They built ceremonial
pyramids and portraits of their kings colossal boulders. By 500 CE, the people of Teotihuacan in the
Valley of Mexico had built the temple of the Sun. In the 1500’s, the vast empires of the Aztecs and Incas
dominated Central and South America.
RISE OF STATES AND DEMOCRATIZATION
Concept of States
States were formed during the early civilizations that commenced after the Neolithic period. As conflicts
ensured, the need to institutionalize processes and policies to create stable and cohesive communities
became a priority. State refers to all institutions, agencies, and agents that operate within a given
territorial space, have legitimate power and authority over its people, and can legitimately utilize force
as an ultimate sanction against them if they fail to accept the state’s laws or orders or resist its actions
or act against it.(Asyon & Reyes, 2000).

Development of States
The growth of nation began in a small unit called family. As dynamic human interactions ensued and
roles became distinct, early societies formed bands and tribes that shared common traits, tools, and
techniques for substance. Soon after, such bands and tribes developed a system of commerce and
governance. Thus, towns and cities emerged that led to the formation of societal hierarchy attributable
to the existence of power. Strong cities with capable leaders built empires and ruled over others. In the
early 16th and 17th centuries, the concept of nation-states surfaced. A nation-state is defined as “one
where the great majority are conscious of a common identify and share the same culture” (Davis, 1997).
Eventually, as global issues became more threatening, a community of nation was established, like the
United Nations (UN), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the European Union (EU).
Such intergovernal organizations were established to promote international cooperation and safeguard
each nation’s culture and identity. Likewise, such organizations were created to campaign for
international relations and economic integration a process in which two or more states in broadly
defined geographic are reduce a range of trade barriers to advance or protect a set of economic goals
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2016).