National Geographic

What would the ideal socioeconomic system would like for a Neo-Band Society, post collapse?

Over 99% of Human existence is made up of egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies. Less than 10,000 years ago, true civilizations sprung up under the influences of surplus and large scale agriculture. While we have a fair idea of what their economic and social systems were like, we can also begin to understand what a Neo-Band system would be. The answer is simple to say, yet complex to imagine.

Due to our idea of money being a God, a sort of tangible tool for success for individuals, we have a hard time imagining a society without it. In reality, the basis of a tribal society is survival for the band as whole.

Of course, this predates all recorded history and the true nature is not fully understood. However, based on what is known, one can predict what a neo-band system would resemble. When the time comes, and band societies once again take dominance, there can be several socioeconomic systems that take shape. The closer we are to what our ancestors operated under, the better.

Art by Alexander Maleev

There are several factors that create the foundation of an ideal socio-economic system for hunter gatherer societies.

First, is that skills are some of the most important factors in hunter gatherer societies. These skills and roles would overtake what we understand as ‘jobs’ in our modern societies. Berry picking, tool making and hunting are just some of the many skills needed in a hunter-gatherer society, taken up by men and women alike. Given the lack of division of labor or specialization, most members of the group would be skilled across many fields and become extremely durable as a jack of all trades.

Skills link closely with the next factor, cooperation. If one member is skilled with making arrowheads, and another is better with making a shaft, vane/feathers and nock; the two can easily work together to make the best arrow possible! This cooperation puts the wellbeing of the band over the individual, while retaining autonomous behavior. This concept of cooperation in band society is linked to the roots of Communism in modern society. This factor sets demands that all need to put in their fair share of work, or the band will fail. It also creates an egalitarian society, where men and women are seen as equals, and can even take several roles within the band.

Finally, Neo-band societies would be more family-esque in nature, and thus, the sharing of materials and skills would be an easier task. There is an unspoken bond between those related by blood, creating an even greater urge to distribute the necessities of survival. Again, we see the basis of band life and socialism or communism with the emphasis on cooperation.

From Practical Primitive

Other important factors, though not necessarily related to the main structure is that in a hunter gatherer society, the usual larder is about 10 times bigger than an agricultural based society (200–20) according to Marshall Sahlins. This means if one source of food is gone, hunter-gatherers have a larger choice, such as grubs. Meanwhile, one famine can wipe out a group of agricultural-based people. Also, there would be no private and little to no personal property, and thus, less envy. Only sentimental objects such as a hunting trophy or jewelry. These would be few, due to the nature of such societies.

With these factors in mind, we can begin to create the ideal system. Simply put, it would be described as Primitive Communism (as said by Marx and Engles) or Mutual Aid. With close bonds and little to no private property, these bands would understand that survival and health is more important than private goods or consumerist ideals. Each member could have one role, or several, depending on the necessity and their own skills.

Peter Kropotkin, author of “Mutual Aid: A Factor Of Evolution”, would also agree with this assessment. Kropotkin argued against Social Darwinism, believing cooperation, not competition proved to be the greatest factor in Human and animal evolution and survival.

Social Darwinism, supported mostly by White Supremacists and Nazi apologetics, is the greatest enemy to Mutual Aid. Social Darwinism is used to encourage capitalism and Conservatism, as well as explain social stratification on the basis of race.

As supporters of a healthy Earth and free people, we must begin to spread the ideas of Primitive Communistm and Mutual Aid. To arm ourselves with information and knowledge is the foundation of all successful revolutions. We cannot let supporters of Social Darwinism and racial ideology to succeed, least we fail.

Sources:

“State of nature: how modern humans lived as nomads for 99 percent of our history.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 10 Feb. 2009, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/state-of-nature-how-modern-humans-lived-as-nomads-for-99-per-cent-of-our-history-1604967.html.

Kropotkin, Peter A. Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution. London: Heinemann, 1908. Print.