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Social Stratification in Polynesia
306 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1988
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About the author
Marshall Sahlins
53 books152 followersMarshall David Sahlins was an American cultural anthropologist best known for his ethnographic work in the Pacific and for his contributions to anthropological theory. He was the Charles F. Grey Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and of Social Sciences at the University of Chicago.
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January 2, 2026
In this incredible study, Sahlins locates his social laboratory in the cultures of the are we know as Polynesia.
He posits 3 different socioeconomic systems (ramage, descendency and atolls) according the technology, environment and kinship of each tribe.
The main achievement of this work is proving that primitive societies are / were not egalitarian: they have / had a hierarchy, religion and myths that support it, a status system, ideology, rank and prestige that justifies the accumulation of surplus (food storages where everyone contributes). Despotic attitude is common on chiefs.
His main theory is that stratification is relative to productivity: the more surplus, the more social differentiation. Egalitarian societies (which even Sahlins admits have never been purely present on modern primitive societies) seem to have harsh geographical conditions, which explains why they don't develop as quickly as others and don't produce a surplus that could be accumulated, therefore it is impossible for big chiefs with great power to exist.
One of the most complete etnographical works I've ever read, maybe a bit repetitive for my taste.
Also, the description of flora, fauna, instruments and all about what we marxists call 'productive forces' are on the appendix, which clearly should be on the body of the work for illustrative and explicative reasons.
He posits 3 different socioeconomic systems (ramage, descendency and atolls) according the technology, environment and kinship of each tribe.
The main achievement of this work is proving that primitive societies are / were not egalitarian: they have / had a hierarchy, religion and myths that support it, a status system, ideology, rank and prestige that justifies the accumulation of surplus (food storages where everyone contributes). Despotic attitude is common on chiefs.
His main theory is that stratification is relative to productivity: the more surplus, the more social differentiation. Egalitarian societies (which even Sahlins admits have never been purely present on modern primitive societies) seem to have harsh geographical conditions, which explains why they don't develop as quickly as others and don't produce a surplus that could be accumulated, therefore it is impossible for big chiefs with great power to exist.
One of the most complete etnographical works I've ever read, maybe a bit repetitive for my taste.
Also, the description of flora, fauna, instruments and all about what we marxists call 'productive forces' are on the appendix, which clearly should be on the body of the work for illustrative and explicative reasons.
Displaying 1 of 1 review