Original Affluent Society Identified

Anthropologist Marshall Sahlins proposed the concept of the ‘original affluent society’. He argued that certain societies achieved affluence not through industrial production, but through a different definition of the term.

Sahlins' Affluence Concept

Sahlins defined affluence as the condition of having "few wants" and the capacity to satisfy them with minimal effort. This contrasts with the industrial definition of affluence, which emphasizes abundant material goods and high production.

Hunter-Gatherer Societies

According to Sahlins, hunting-gathering societies best fit the description of the ‘original affluent society’. These societies typically had limited material possessions and worked relatively few hours to meet their basic needs. Their subsistence strategies allowed for ample leisure time and freedom from the perceived constant struggle for resources often associated with more complex economies.

Conclusion

Therefore, based on Marshall Sahlins' theory, hunting-gathering societies are characterized as the ‘original affluent society’ because they fulfilled the condition of having few desires that could be easily met.