Rethinking social evolution : the perspective from middle-range societies

Rousseau, Jérôme

ISBN 10: 0773531106 / ISBN 13: 9780773531109

Published by Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2006

About this Item

Rousseau, Jérôme. Rethinking social evolution : the perspective from middle-range societies. First edition. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2006. Hardback, Fine, in unclipped dustjacket held in protective transparent wrapper. Black cloth with silver lettering to spine. Binding strong and tight. 291pp., tables and figures. Contents clean and bright - book appears unread. Human societies are characterized by complex and varied social systems that change through time due to communication and negotiation. Jérôme Rousseau makes cognitive complexity his starting point in an innovative study of how and why human societies evolve. The focus of Rousseau's enquiry is "middle-range" societies - a vast category between hunter-gatherers and states. Breaking away from traditional analyses of social evolution as a response to ecological constraints, he shows that social systems are maintained and transformed through self-interest and suggests that conflicts about sharing generate social transformations that result in inequality and increasingly encompassing socio-political structures. Rethinking Social Evolution is a wide-ranging exploration of how language and increased cognitive abilities constitute the motor of social evolution. Drawing on a wide range of ethnographic case studies, Rousseau offers a better understanding of how modern societies are the result of choices by people who both collaborate and compete. RightWayUp Books aims to provide accurate and detailed descriptions. All images are of the actual book for sale - no stock images are ever used. Thank you for looking at this listing.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1734092832827

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Rethinking social evolution : the perspective from middle-range societies
• Publisher: Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0773531106
• ISBN 13: 9780773531109
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Psychology
  • Anthropology

About this title

Synopsis

Human societies are characterized by complex and varied social systems that change through time due to communication and negotiation. Jérôme Rousseau makes cognitive complexity his starting point in an innovative study of how and why human societies evolve.

The focus of Rousseau's enquiry is "middle-range" societies - a vast category between hunter-gatherers and states. Breaking away from traditional analyses of social evolution as a response to ecological constraints, he shows that social systems are maintained and transformed through self-interest and suggests that conflicts about sharing generate social transformations that result in inequality and increasingly encompassing socio-political structures.

Rethinking Social Evolution is a wide-ranging exploration of how language and increased cognitive abilities constitute the motor of social evolution. Drawing on a wide range of ethnographic case studies, Rousseau offers a better understanding of how modern societies are the result of choices by people who both collaborate and compete.

About the Author

Jérôme Rousseau is professor, anthropology, McGill University, and the author of several books, including Central Borneo: Ethnic Identity and Social Life in a Stratified Society.