We’ve often heard this in the Marxist theory, where there are haves and have-nots in society. The former control the resources, while the latter is the exploited working class. That makes the have-nots raise an uprising and form an egalitarian society, where everyone has equal access to resources. But here lies the catch! Such egalitarian societies existed 10 millenniums ago, before Marxism was born, and even before democracy was born in ancient Greece.
The shreds of evidence dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization, excavations in the Middle East, Rio Supe in Peru before the Incas, and the most recent in 250 AD in Teotihuacan in Mexico valley, had a classless society.
A common feature of these sites was, that they did not follow the “cycle" of culture, where hunters and gatherers cultivated lands, which led to the formation of villages, their transition to towns and then into cities, all under kings and bureaucracies. In these sites, villages remained villages, and technology advanced without any incentive from, nay, the existence of a ruling class. There were no palaces and temples to flaunt, after all, it was the bungalows of its citizens that did all the talking!
To further explain this, let us consider the Indus Valley Civilization. With urbanization at its peak, they had an agro-commercial economy. Most of the inhabitants were peasants, who cultivated the fertile lands of the Indus. The surplus was produced which was stored in granaries, the most prominent one in Mohenjodaro. Further, this civilization was the first one to grow cotton. Animal husbandry was also practised, along with weavers and craftsmen showcasing their artistic skills. Trade flourished on routes along the Indus and land routes. Hence, this civilization had no temples, no royal palaces, but only its cities, artworks, and trade as its identity.
David Wengrow, an archaeologist has called this the “era of a first global village". In a way, these societies fit this reference, due to their technological and social innovations.
But here lies the problem. We often don’t equate culture, civilization and economic growth with such a society. Our perception has confined itself to unequal societies, which we see in the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Rome. The advancement of agriculture, trade, and civilizations has always been considered a part and parcel of increasing inequalities.
This leads to a question, how did the Middle East, the Indus Valley Civilization, and other sites, with no ruling dynasties develop socially, economically, and technologically without rulers? The answer is, that there was no imposition of culture, which allowed newer social innovations to flourish. To illustrate, budding politicians in Tlaxcala in Mexico were subjected to public criticism and abuses, which ensured their accountability to the people they served.
As a concluding thought, the possibility of how we could create such an egalitarian society, by not compromising on our economic development is possibly rooted in adopting measures to increase transparency and accountability in the political system and providing incentives to the marginalized, specifically, women. This could be a step up from Ancient Greece, where this section was excluded from the mainstream. Further, privileges should be determined not on family backgrounds, but work ethics.
After all, it is our resolve, that will help us bring in an egalitarian society.
I agree profoundly with the following concept about egalitarian societies being a part of our current economic system. According to my opinion, equality should overweight and overpower class segregation and differentiation as it begets productivity and sustainability. I even agree that setting a higher benchmark to yield precise and collective measures for the exploited class and especially empowering women in distinctive fields, not on their family scenarios but acknowledging their work etiquettes and ethics can pave a quintessential way or can instigate development of an egalitarian society.
These types of articles that promotes equality are really helping society to look at the problem at each stage general public are becoming more aware of their rights.Thus creating a positive impact on economic development.
I strongly support this article which is beautifully written with such a meaningful message of equalitarianism. According to me Equalitarianism is based on equality that all people are equal and deserve equal treatment in all things. As many legal policy and scheme wered removed bY government. Many philosophers shares their veiws on the same like Karl Marx said equalitarianism is the starting point of human creation. John Locke said consider equalitarianism as he said that every individual have equal rights.
We all have studied and seen that by spreading knowledge and educating people, we can build an egalitarian society. It can be one way of developing equality and respect to all genders regardless of their caste, religion or age. But according to me, if a person stops comparing other person with him or with anyone else or stop considering other person (women) is week, it automatically creates equality. Well, nicely presented content.
Great article!