The Political Economy of the Hunter and Gatherer

... "The Political Economy of the Hunter and Gatherer" The political economy of hunters and gatherers is repeatedly viewed as a tough and constant struggle against nature. While these people were living on a level of subsistence without a surplus, this struggle is a common misconception made by much of the general population as well as many historians. In fact, hunters and gatherers, through continuous movement, had a fairly easy-going lifestyle, more free time and less political oppression than the political economies of early Neolithic agriculture and feudalism. Yet because of practices of population control, a lack of stability and technological advancement, the system of hunting and gathering was less than perfect. The most important factor to the success of the hunter and gatherer political economy was ease of movement. In order for survival, these people had to be able follow their food quickly and easily. Hunters and gatherers had in their possession

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