When did traditional society emerge? Traditional society: how to understand it

The way of life in it is characterized by a rigid class hierarchy, the existence of stable social communities(especially in Eastern countries), in a special way regulation life society based on traditions and customs. This organization society strives to preserve the socio-cultural foundations of life unchanged. Traditional society- agricultural society.

A traditional society is usually characterized by:
-traditional economy
-predominance of the agrarian way of life;
-structure stability;
-class organization;
-low mobility;
-high mortality rate;
-high birth rate;
-low life expectancy.

A traditional person perceives the world and the established order of life as something inextricably integral, holistic, sacred and not subject to change. A person’s place in society and his status are determined by tradition (usually by birthright).

In a traditional society, collectivist attitudes predominate, individualism is not welcomed (since freedom of individual action can lead to a violation of the established order, time-tested). In general, traditional societies are characterized by the primacy of collective interests over private ones, including the primacy of the interests of existing hierarchical structures (state, clan, etc.). What is valued is not so much individual capacity as the place in the hierarchy (official, class, clan, etc.) that a person occupies.

In a traditional society, as a rule, relations of redistribution rather than market exchange predominate, but elements market economy are strictly regulated. This is due to the fact that free markets increase social mobility and change social structure societies (in particular, they destroy class); the redistribution system can be regulated by tradition, but market prices cannot; forced redistribution prevents “unauthorized” enrichment/impoverishment of both individuals and classes. The pursuit of economic gain in traditional society is often morally condemned and opposed to selfless help.

In a traditional society, most people live their whole lives in a local community (for example, a village), connections with the `big society` quite weak. At the same time, family ties, on the contrary, are very strong.
The worldview (ideology) of a traditional society is determined by tradition and authority.

Transformation of traditional society
Traditional society is extremely stable. As the famous demographer and sociologist Anatoly Vishnevsky writes, “everything in it is interconnected and it is very difficult to remove or change any one element.”

In ancient times, changes in traditional society occurred extremely slowly - over generations, almost imperceptibly for individual person. Periods of accelerated development took place in traditional societies ( shining example- changes in the territory of Eurasia in the 1st millennium BC. BC), but even during such periods changes were carried out slowly by modern standards, and upon their completion society returned again to a relatively static state with a predominance cyclic dynamics.

At the same time, since ancient times there have been societies that cannot be called completely traditional. The departure from traditional society was associated, as a rule, with the development of trade. This category includes Greek city-states, medieval self-governing trading cities, England and Holland of the 16th-17th centuries. Stands apart Ancient Rome(before the 3rd century AD) with its civil society.

The rapid and irreversible transformation of traditional society began to occur only in the 18th century as a result of the industrial revolution. By now this process took over almost the entire world.

Rapid changes and a departure from traditions can be experienced by a traditional person as a collapse of guidelines and values, loss of the meaning of life, etc. Since adaptation to new conditions and a change in the nature of activity is not part of the strategy traditional person, then the transformation of society often leads to the marginalization of part of the population.

The most painful transformation of traditional society occurs in cases where the dismantled traditions have a religious justification. At the same time, resistance to change can take the form of religious fundamentalism.

During the period of transformation of a traditional society, authoritarianism may increase in it (either in order to preserve traditions, or in order to overcome resistance to change).

The transformation of traditional society ends with the demographic transition. The generation that grew up in small families has a psychology that differs from the psychology of a traditional person.

Opinions about the need (and extent) of transformation of traditional society differ significantly. For example, the philosopher A. Dugin considers it necessary to abandon the principles of modern society and return to the “golden age” of traditionalism. Sociologist and demographer A. Vishnevsky argues that traditional society “has no chance,” although it “fiercely resists.” According to the calculations of Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Professor A. Nazaretyan, in order to completely abandon development and return society into a static state, the human population must be reduced several hundred times.

Traditional society-- a society that is regulated by tradition. Preservation of traditions is more important in him high value than development. The social structure in it is characterized by a rigid class hierarchy, the existence of stable social communities (especially in Eastern countries), and a special way of regulating the life of society, based on traditions and customs. This organization of society strives to preserve the socio-cultural foundations of life unchanged. Traditional society -- agricultural society.

general characteristics

A traditional society is usually characterized by:

traditional economics

the predominance of the agricultural way of life;

structural stability;

class organization;

low mobility;

high mortality;

low life expectancy.

A traditional person perceives the world and the established order of life as something inextricably integral, sacred and not subject to change. A person's place in society and his status are determined by tradition and social origin.

In a traditional society, collectivist attitudes predominate, individualism is not encouraged (since freedom of individual action can lead to a violation of the established order, time-tested). In general, traditional societies are characterized by the predominance of collective interests over private ones. What is valued is not so much individual capacity as the place in the hierarchy (official, class, clan, etc.) that a person occupies.

In a traditional society, as a rule, relations of redistribution rather than market exchange predominate, and elements of a market economy are strictly regulated. This is due to the fact that free market relations increase social mobility and change the social structure of society (in particular, they destroy class); the redistribution system can be regulated by tradition, but market prices cannot; forced redistribution prevents “unauthorized” enrichment/impoverishment of both individuals and classes. The pursuit of economic gain in traditional society is often morally condemned and opposed to selfless help.

In a traditional society, most people live their whole lives in a local community (for example, a village), and connections with the “big society” are rather weak. At the same time, family ties, on the contrary, are very strong. The worldview (ideology) of a traditional society is determined by tradition and authority.

For culture primitive society What was characteristic was that human activity associated with gathering and hunting was intertwined with natural processes, man did not separate himself from nature, and therefore no spiritual production existed. Cultural and creative processes were organically woven into the processes of obtaining a means of subsistence. Connected with this is the peculiarity of this culture - primitive syncretism, that is, its indivisibility into separate forms. Man's complete dependence on nature, extremely poor knowledge, fear of the unknown - all this inevitably led to the fact that consciousness primitive man from his first steps it was not strictly logical, but emotional-associative, fantastic.

In area social relations the tribal system dominates. Special meaning in development primitive culture exogamy played a role. The prohibition of sexual intercourse between members of the same clan contributed to the physical survival of mankind, as well as cultural interaction between births. Inter-clan relations are regulated according to the principle “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”, but within the clan the principle of taboo reigns - a system of prohibitions on committing a certain type of action, the violation of which is punishable by supernatural forces.

A universal form of spiritual life primitive people is mythology, and the first pre-religious beliefs existed in the form of animism, totemism, fetishism and magic. Primitive art characterized by facelessness human image, highlighting special distinctive generic traits(signs, decorations, etc.), as well as parts of the body important for the continuation of life. Along with the complication of production

activities, the development of agriculture, cattle breeding in the process of the “Neolithic revolution”, stocks of knowledge are growing, experience is accumulating,

develop different ideas about the surrounding reality,

the arts are being improved. Primitive forms of belief

are replaced by various kinds of cults: the cult of leaders, ancestors, etc.

The development of productive forces leads to the emergence of a surplus product, which is concentrated in the hands of priests, leaders, and elders. Thus, the “top” and slaves are formed, private property, the state is formed.

In the worldview of humanity. At this stage of development, society is heterogeneous; the rich and the poor, the highly educated and those without, are forced to coexist. primary education individuals, believers and atheists. Modern society needs individuals who are socially adapted, morally stable and have a desire for self-improvement. It is these qualities that are formed in early age in family. Traditional society best meets the criteria for nurturing acceptable qualities in a person.

The concept of traditional society

Traditional society is predominantly rural, agrarian and pre-industrial association large groups of people. In the leading sociological typology “tradition - modernity” it is the main opposite of industrial. By traditional type societies developed in ancient and medieval era. On modern stage examples of such societies are clearly preserved in Africa and Asia.

Signs of a traditional society

The distinctive features of traditional society are manifested in all spheres of life: spiritual, political, economic, economic.

The community is the basic social unit. It is a closed association of people united according to tribal or local principles. In the “man-land” relationship, it is the community that acts as a mediator. Its typology is different: feudal, peasant, urban. The type of community determines a person’s position in it.

A characteristic feature of traditional society is agricultural cooperation, which consists of clan (kinship) ties. Relations are based on collective labor activity, the use of land, and systematic redistribution of land. Such a society is always characterized by weak dynamics.

Traditional society is, first of all, a closed association of people, which is self-sufficient and does not allow external influence. Traditions and laws determine it political life. In turn, society and the state suppress the individual.

Features of the economic structure

Traditional society is characterized by the predominance of extensive technologies and the use of hand tools, the dominance of corporate, communal, and state forms of ownership, while private property still remains inviolable. The standard of living of most of the population is low. In work and production, a person is forced to adapt to external factors, thus, society and the characteristics of the organization of work activity depend on natural conditions.

Traditional society is a confrontation between nature and man.

The economic structure becomes completely dependent on natural and climatic factors. The basis of such an economy is cattle breeding and agriculture, the results collective work distributed taking into account the position of each member in the social hierarchy. In addition to agriculture, people in traditional society engage in primitive crafts.

Social relations and hierarchy

The values of a traditional society lie in honoring the older generation, old people, observing the customs of the family, unwritten and written norms and accepted rules of behavior. Conflicts that arise in teams are resolved with the intervention and participation of the elder (leader).

In a traditional society, the social structure implies class privileges and a rigid hierarchy. At the same time, social mobility is practically absent. For example, in India, transitions from one caste to another with an increase in status are strictly prohibited. The main social units of society were the community and the family. First of all, a person was part of a collective that was part of a traditional society. Signs indicating inappropriate behavior of each individual were discussed and regulated by a system of norms and principles. The concept of individuality and following the interests of an individual are absent in such a structure.

Social relations in traditional society are built on subordination. Everyone is included in it and feels part of the whole. The birth of a person, the creation of a family, and death occur in one place and surrounded by people. Labor activity and way of life are built, passed on from generation to generation. Leaving the community is always difficult and difficult, sometimes even tragic.

Traditional society is an association based on common features a collective of people in which individuality is not a value, the ideal scenario of fate is fulfillment social roles. Here it is forbidden not to live up to the role, otherwise the person becomes an outcast.

Social status influences the position of the individual, the degree of closeness to the community leader, priest, and chief. The influence of the head of the clan (elder) is unquestionable, even if individual qualities are called into question.

Political structure

The main wealth of a traditional society is power, which was valued higher than law or right. The army and the church play a leading role. The form of government in the state in the era of traditional societies was predominantly monarchy. In most countries, representative bodies of government did not have independent political significance.

Since the greatest value is power, it does not need justification, but passes to the next leader by inheritance, its source is God's will. Power in a traditional society is despotic and concentrated in the hands of one person.

The spiritual sphere of traditional society

Traditions are the spiritual basis of society. Sacred and religious-mythical ideas have dominance both in the individual and in public consciousness. Religion has a significant influence on the spiritual sphere of traditional society; the culture is homogeneous. The oral method of exchanging information prevails over the written one. Spreading rumors is part of the social norm. The number of people with education is, as a rule, always small.

Customs and traditions also determine the spiritual life of people in a community that is characterized by deep religiosity. Religious tenets are also reflected in culture.

Hierarchy of values

Totality cultural values, revered unconditionally, also characterizes traditional society. The signs of a value-oriented society can be general or class-specific. Culture is determined by the mentality of society. Values have a strict hierarchy. The highest, without a doubt, is God. The desire for God shapes and determines the motives of human behavior. He is the ideal embodiment of good behavior, supreme justice and the source of virtue. Another value can be called asceticism, which implies the renunciation of earthly goods in the name of acquiring heavenly ones.

Loyalty is the next principle of behavior expressed in serving God.

In a traditional society, second-order values are also distinguished, for example, idleness - refusal of physical labor in general or only on certain days.

It should be noted that they all have a sacred character. Class values can be idleness, militancy, honor, personal independence, which was acceptable for representatives of the noble strata of traditional society.

The relationship between modern and traditional societies

Traditional and modern society are closely interconnected. It was as a result of the evolution of the first type of society that humanity entered the innovative path of development. Modern society is characterized by a fairly rapid change in technology and continuous modernization. Cultural reality is also subject to change, which leads to new life paths for subsequent generations. Modern society is characterized by a transition from state to private ownership, as well as neglect of individual interests. Some features of traditional society are also inherent in modern society. But, from the point of view of Eurocentrism, it is backward due to its closedness from external relations and innovation, the primitive, continuous nature of change.

Plan
Introduction
1 General characteristics
2 Transformation of traditional society
and literature

Introduction

Traditional society is a society that is regulated by tradition. Preservation of traditions is a higher value in it than development. The social structure in it is characterized by a rigid class hierarchy, the existence of stable social communities (especially in Eastern countries), and a special way of regulating the life of society, based on traditions and customs. This organization of society strives to preserve the socio-cultural foundations of life unchanged. Traditional society is an agrarian society.

1. General characteristics

A traditional society is usually characterized by:

· traditional economy

· predominance of the agricultural way of life;

· structural stability;

· class organization;

· low mobility;

· high mortality rate;

· low life expectancy.

In a traditional society, collectivist attitudes predominate, individualism is not encouraged (since freedom of individual action can lead to a violation of the established order, time-tested). In general, traditional societies are characterized by the predominance of collective interests over private ones, including the primacy of the interests of existing hierarchical structures (state, clan, etc.). What is valued is not so much individual capacity as the place in the hierarchy (official, class, clan, etc.) that a person occupies.

In a traditional society, most people live their entire lives in a local community (for example, a village), and connections with the “big society” are rather weak. At the same time, family ties, on the contrary, are very strong.

The worldview (ideology) of a traditional society is determined by tradition and authority.

2. Transformation of traditional society

Traditional society is extremely stable. As the famous demographer and sociologist Anatoly Vishnevsky writes, “everything in it is interconnected and it is very difficult to remove or change any one element.”

In ancient times, changes in traditional society occurred extremely slowly - over generations, almost imperceptibly for an individual. Periods of accelerated development also occurred in traditional societies (a striking example is the changes in the territory of Eurasia in the 1st millennium BC), but even during such periods, changes were carried out slowly by modern standards, and upon their completion, society again returned to a relatively static state with a predominance of cyclic dynamics.

At the same time, since ancient times there have been societies that cannot be called completely traditional. The departure from traditional society was associated, as a rule, with the development of trade. This category includes Greek city-states, medieval self-governing trading cities, England and Holland of the 16th-17th centuries. Ancient Rome (before the 3rd century AD) with its civil society stands apart.

The rapid and irreversible transformation of traditional society began to occur only in the 18th century as a result of the industrial revolution. By now, this process has captured almost the entire world.

Rapid changes and departure from traditions can be experienced by a traditional person as a collapse of guidelines and values, loss of the meaning of life, etc. Since adaptation to new conditions and a change in the nature of activity are not included in the strategy of a traditional person, the transformation of society often leads to the marginalization of part of the population.

During the period of transformation of a traditional society, authoritarianism may increase in it (either in order to preserve traditions, or in order to overcome resistance to change).

Opinions about the need (and extent) of transformation of traditional society differ significantly. For example, the philosopher A. Dugin considers it necessary to abandon the principles of modern society and return to the “golden age” of traditionalism. Sociologist and demographer A. Vishnevsky argues that traditional society “has no chance,” although it “fiercely resists.” According to the calculations of Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Professor A. Nazaretyan, in order to completely abandon development and return society to a static state, the number of humanity must be reduced by several hundred times.

1. Knowledge-Power, No. 9, 2005, “Demographic oddities”

· Textbook “Sociology of Culture” (chapter “ Historical dynamics culture: cultural features of traditional and modern societies. Modernization")

· Book by A. G. Vishnevsky “Sickle and Ruble. Conservative modernization in the USSR"

· Book “European Modernization”

· Nazaretyan A.P. Demographic utopia " sustainable development» // Social Sciences and modernity. 1996. No. 2. P. 145-152.

The development of society is a step-by-step process, representing an upward movement from the simplest economy to a more efficient, advanced one. In the 20th century, famous political scientists and sociologists put forward a theory according to which society overcomes three stages of its development: agricultural, industrial and post-industrial. Let us dwell in more detail on the agrarian society.

Agrarian society by types, features, characteristics, characteristics

Agrarian, traditional or pre industrial society based on the traditional values of humanity. This type of society sees the main goal of preserving traditional way of life, does not accept any changes and does not strive for development.

An agricultural society is characterized traditional economy, which is characterized by redistribution, and the manifestation of market relations and exchange is strictly suppressed. In a traditional society, there is a priority of attention of the state and the ruling elite over own interests person. All politics is based on an authoritarian type of power.

A person's status in society is determined by his birth. The whole society is divided into classes, movement between which is impossible. The class hierarchy is again based on the traditional way of life.

An agrarian society is characterized by high mortality and birth rates. And at the same time low life expectancy. Very strong family ties.

The pre-industrial type of society persisted for a long time in many Eastern countries.

Economic features of agrarian civilization and culture

The basis of traditional society is Agriculture, the main components of which are agriculture, cattle breeding or fishing in coastal areas. The priority of a certain type of economy depends on climatic conditions and the geographical location of the place of settlement. Agrarian society itself is completely dependent on nature and its conditions, while man does not make changes to these forces, without in any way trying to tame them. For a long time Subsistence farming predominated in pre-industrial society.

Industry is either absent or insignificant. Craft labor is poorly developed. All work is aimed at satisfying basic human needs; society does not even try to strive for more. Extra hours of work are recognized by society as punishment.

A person inherits a profession and occupation from his parents. The lower classes are overly devoted to the higher ones, hence this system state power like a monarchy.

All values and culture as a whole are dominated by traditions.

Traditional agrarian society

As already mentioned, an agrarian society is based on simple crafts and agriculture. The time frame for the existence of a given society is Ancient world and the Middle Ages.

At that time, the economy was based on the use natural resources without any changes to the latter. Hence the low development of labor tools, which remain hand-held for a very long time.

The economic sphere of society is dominated by:

construction;
extractive industries;
natural economy.

There is trade, but it is insignificantly developed, and the development of the market is not encouraged by the authorities.

Traditions give a person an already established system of values, the main role in which is played by religion and the undeniable authority of the head of state. Culture is based on traditional reverence for one's own history.

The process of transformation of traditional agrarian civilization

An agricultural society is quite resistant to any changes, since its basis is traditions and an established way of life. The transformations are so slow that they are invisible to an individual person. Transformations are much easier for states that are not fully traditional. As a rule, this is a society with developed market relations - Greek policies, trading cities of England and Holland, Ancient Rome.

The impetus for the irreversible transformation of agrarian civilization was the industrial revolution XVIII century.

Any transformations in such a society are very painful for a person, especially if religion was the foundation for a traditional society. A person loses guidelines and values. At this time, the authoritarian regime is strengthening. All changes in society are completed by the demographic transition, in which psychology younger generation is changing.

Industrial and post-industrial agrarian society

Industrial society is characterized by a sharp leap in the development of industry. A sharp increase in economic growth rates. This society is characterized by the “optimism of modernizers” - an unshakable confidence in science, with the help of which it is possible to solve any problems that arise, including social ones.

In this society, there is a purely consumerist attitude towards nature - maximum development of available resources, pollution of nature. Industrial society lives one day at a time, striving to satisfy social and everyday needs to the full here and now.

Post-industrial society is just beginning its development path.

IN post-industrial society The first place goes to:

high tech;
information;
knowledge.

Industry is giving way to the service sector. Knowledge and information have become the main commodity in the market. Science is no longer recognized as omnipotent. Humanity is finally starting to realize everything Negative consequences, which befell nature after the development of industry. Are changing public values. Environmental conservation and nature protection come to the fore.

The main factor and sphere of production of an agricultural society

The main factor of production for an agrarian society is land. That is why an agrarian society practically excludes mobility, since it is completely dependent on the place of residence.

The main sphere of production is agriculture. All production is based on the procurement of raw materials and food. All members of society, first of all, strive to satisfy everyday needs. The basis of the economy is family farming. Such a sphere may not always be able to satisfy all human needs, but certainly most of them.

Agrarian state and agrarian fund

The Agrarian Fund is a state apparatus that provides the country with adequate food. Its main task is to support the development of agricultural business in the country. The fund is responsible for the import and export of agricultural goods and distributes products within the country.

Human civilization needs quality products nutrition that only developed agriculture can provide. It is important to take into account that agriculture has never been a highly profitable industry. Entrepreneurs abandon this type of business as soon as they encounter difficulties and lose profits. IN in this case The state’s agricultural policy helps agricultural production by allocating the necessary funds to compensate for possible losses.

IN developed countries The rural way of life and family farming are becoming increasingly popular.

Agrarian modernization

Agrarian modernization is based on increasing the rate of development of agricultural production and sets itself the following tasks:

creation of a new model of economic growth in agriculture;

creating favorable economic trends for agricultural business;

improving rural infrastructure;

attracting the younger generation to the village to live and work;

assistance in solving problems with land;

environmental protection.

The main assistant of the state in modernization is private business. Therefore, the state is obliged to meet the needs of agricultural business and help its development in every possible way.

Modernization will bring agricultural and agricultural production to the proper level in the country, improve the quality of food, create additional jobs in the countryside and increase the standard of living of the population of the entire country as a whole.