Chiefdom

A Chiefdom or Tribal Society is an early society that has developed a complex culture and a social hierarchy capable of creating leaders with considerable authority and significant legitimacy.

• It is a kind of society capable of forming a stable government or polity.

Description (Specifications)

A Tribal Society is possibly the first non-herd groupings by society. They form and generally take on hunter or gatherer roles, and often a mix of the two for omnivores. These are nomadic groups, for the most part, and show real signs of cooperative behavior and society-building. The key identifier for a chiefdom is the presence of both external and internal technologies including tools and sophisticated social organization or hierarchy, and increasing theories of land ownership and use.

• Many tribes tend to form Pastoral Societies moving about from set pastures in a nomadic fashion.

Key Identifier Characteristics

No data yet available.

Tribal Society vs. Chiefdom

Most chiefdoms require a more hierarchical leadership as agricultural or other food-producing technologies are developed. These groups build the first villages and even cities. The key identifier for a chiefdom is that permanent or semi-permanent facilities have been established. Band societies are overwhelmingly mobile or nomadic.

• Chiefdoms are able to form Pastoral Societies and create lasting permanent settlement sites to develop agrarian technology, food surpluses, and the rise of non-subsistence societies.

History & Background (Dossier)

No information yet available.

Standard Polity Growth Sequence

MACRO LEVEL:

• Proto-Society → Society → Civilization → Singularity (Post-civilizational)

MICRO LEVEL:

• Proto-Society → Band Society → Tribal Society or Chiefdom → City-State → Nation-State → World-State → Pocket Empire → Interstellar State → Intergalactic State → Final State → Singularity

References & Contributors (Sources)

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• Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science