key term - Subsistence Strategies

Definition

Subsistence strategies refer to the various ways in which individuals, households, and communities obtain the resources necessary for their survival and well-being. These strategies encompass the methods and practices employed to acquire food, water, shelter, and other essential elements for sustaining life. Subsistence strategies are closely tied to a society's mode of production, cultural traditions, and environmental conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subsistence strategies are closely tied to a society's level of technological development and the available natural resources in their environment.
2. Hunter-gatherer societies typically employ subsistence strategies that involve foraging, hunting, and fishing to obtain food and other resources.
3. Pastoral societies rely on the domestication and herding of animals, such as sheep, goats, or camels, as their primary subsistence strategy.
4. Horticultural societies practice a combination of small-scale cultivation and gathering, often using simple tools and techniques.
5. Agricultural societies have developed more complex and intensive methods of food production, including the cultivation of crops and the use of advanced tools and technologies.

Review Questions

• Explain how subsistence strategies are related to a society's mode of production and cultural traditions.
  • Subsistence strategies are directly linked to a society's mode of production, which refers to the way in which a society organizes its economic activities to produce and distribute goods and services. The mode of production, in turn, is shaped by the available natural resources, technological capabilities, and cultural traditions of a society. For example, hunter-gatherer societies rely on foraging and hunting as their primary subsistence strategies, which are closely tied to their nomadic lifestyle and cultural practices. In contrast, agricultural societies have developed more complex and sedentary subsistence strategies, such as crop cultivation and animal domestication, which are reflective of their technological advancements and cultural traditions.
• Describe how the concept of subsistence strategies is relevant to the study of colonialism and the categorization of political systems.
  • The study of subsistence strategies is crucial in understanding the dynamics of colonialism and the categorization of political systems. Colonial powers often imposed their own subsistence strategies and modes of production on the colonized populations, disrupting traditional practices and ways of life. This led to the categorization of political systems, with colonial powers often classifying societies based on their subsistence strategies, such as distinguishing between 'civilized' agricultural societies and 'primitive' hunter-gatherer or pastoral societies. This categorization was then used to justify colonial policies and the exploitation of indigenous populations. Understanding the diversity of subsistence strategies and their cultural and environmental contexts is essential for challenging these colonial biases and developing a more nuanced understanding of political systems.
• Analyze how a biocultural approach can be used to study the relationship between subsistence strategies, food, and animals in a given society.
  • A biocultural approach to the study of subsistence strategies, food, and animals in a society recognizes the complex interplay between biological, cultural, and environmental factors. This approach examines how a society's subsistence strategies, such as hunting, gathering, pastoralism, or agriculture, shape their relationship with the natural environment and the animals they interact with. It also considers how cultural beliefs, practices, and traditions influence the selection, preparation, and consumption of food. By taking a biocultural perspective, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how subsistence strategies both shape and are shaped by the biological and cultural characteristics of a society, as well as the broader ecological context in which they operate. This holistic approach is essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of the role of subsistence strategies in shaping human adaptations and the complex relationships between people, food, and the natural world.

Related terms

Modes of Subsistence:

The different ways in which a society or group of people obtain their food and other resources, such as hunting and gathering, pastoralism, horticulture, and agriculture.

Colonialism:

The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Biocultural Approach:

An interdisciplinary approach that examines the complex interactions between biological, cultural, and environmental factors that shape human behavior and adaptations.