Property, in Hobhouse's phrase, 'is to be conceived in terms of the control of man over things', a control which is recognized by society, more or less permanent and exclusive. Property may be private (individual or collective) or common. In his account of the development of property, Hobhouse observed that there is some personal private property in all societies, but that in many primitive societies the principal economic resources are communally owned (e.g. hunting land, grazing land, pasture). In more developed agricultural societies, private ownership comes to predominate. But Hobhouse pointed out that although tribal common ownership disappears, common ownership may be maintained for the joint-family. R. H. Lowie, in an excellent short account of property, which uses much comparative material from primitive and civilized societies, presents much of the same view. There is personal private property among all primitive people, including names, dances, songs, myths, ceremonial regalia, gifts, weapons, household implements. So far as the 'instruments of production' are concerned there are differences between hunters and food-gatherers, where the land is tribal property (not always well-defined), and agriculturalists and pastoralists. Among agriculturalists individual private property in land is frequently found, though the clan or tribe may still exercise some control over its use or alienation. In the case of pastoralists, land may be communally owned but not the livestock; 'the ownership of livestock strongly develops the sense of individual property.
For the pastoralists:
Understanding Property Ownership for Pastoralists
The provided text discusses the concept of property ownership, drawing insights from scholars like Hobhouse and R. H. Lowie. It traces the evolution of property forms across different types of societies, from primitive hunters and gatherers to more developed agricultural and pastoral communities.
Hobhouse defines property as the control of man over things, recognized by society, and typically permanent and exclusive. This control can be private (individual or collective) or common. The text highlights that while personal private property exists in all societies, the dominant form of economic resource ownership changes with societal development.
In primitive societies, principal economic resources, such as hunting and grazing lands, are often communally owned. As societies become more agricultural, private ownership tends to become more widespread, though communal forms may persist within smaller units like the joint-family.
R. H. Lowie supports a similar view, noting the presence of personal private property (names, songs, tools, etc.) among all primitive peoples. However, when it comes to 'instruments of production' like land, there are differences based on the economic system.
- For hunters and food-gatherers, land is often tribal property.
- For agriculturalists, individual private property in land is common, although the clan or tribe might retain some control.
Property Ownership Among Pastoral Societies
The question specifically asks about property ownership among pastoralists based on the text. Let's look at what the text says about them:
"In the case of pastoralists, land may be communally owned but not the livestock; 'the ownership of livestock strongly develops the sense of individual property.'"
This sentence provides direct information about how property is typically held in pastoral societies according to this account.
Analyzing the Options
Let's evaluate the given options in light of the text's description of pastoralist property:
- Livestock may be communally owned
- Land may be communally owned
- Both the above
- None of the above
Based on the text:
- The text explicitly states that for pastoralists, livestock is not communally owned ("but not the livestock"). Therefore, option 1 is incorrect.
- The text explicitly states that for pastoralists, land may be communally owned ("land may be communally owned"). Therefore, option 2 is correct.
- Since option 1 is incorrect, option 3 ("Both the above") cannot be correct.
- Since option 2 is correct, option 4 ("None of the above") cannot be correct.
Thus, the text clearly supports the statement that land may be communally owned among pastoralists, while livestock ownership tends towards the individual.
| Pastoralist Property Type | Ownership Status (according to text) |
|---|---|
| Land | May be communally owned |
| Livestock | Not communally owned; tends towards individual property |
Conclusion on Pastoralist Property
The text provides a specific contrast between the ownership of land and livestock for pastoralists. While land might follow a pattern of communal ownership seen in earlier or parallel societal forms (like hunting/gathering lands), the movable and individually managed nature of livestock fosters a strong sense of individual property. The question asks what may be communally owned, and the text states that land fits this description.
Revision Table: Key Property Concepts
| Concept | Description | Example (from text) |
|---|---|---|
| Property (Hobhouse) | Control over things recognized by society, permanent & exclusive. | Various forms: private (individual/collective), common. |
| Personal Private Property | Owned by individuals, common across societies. | Names, dances, weapons, household implements. |
| Communal Ownership | Owned collectively by a group (tribe, community, joint-family). | Hunting land, grazing land, pasture (primitive societies), Land (Pastoralists). |
| Individual Private Property | Owned by individuals. | Agricultural land, Livestock (Pastoralists). |
Additional Information: Evolution of Property Rights
The passage touches upon a key theme in sociology and anthropology: the evolution of property rights alongside economic and social development. This evolution is not always a simple linear progression from communal to private. Factors like the nature of the resource (sedentary land vs. mobile animals), the technology used, and the social structure of the group all influence property forms.
For instance, the text notes that while tribal common ownership of land might disappear with agriculture, joint-family ownership can emerge or persist. Similarly, pastoralism presents a mixed model, where the land needed for grazing might remain communal or tribal, reflecting its extensive use by the group, while the herds, which are managed by individual families or persons, become private property. This distinction highlights how different resources within the same society can have different ownership structures based on their function and management.
The study of property rights helps us understand power structures, economic inequality, and the relationship between individuals and their communities in different historical and cultural contexts.
Important Questions from Basic Sociology - Teaching
Match List - I with List - II
List - I List - II (Principles) (Meaning) A. Phenomenalism I. Knowledge is arrived at through the gathering of facts that provide the basis for laws B. Deductivism II. Asserts that social phenomena and their meanings are continually being accomplished by social actors C. Inductivism III. The purpose of theory is to generate a hypothesis that can be tested D. Constructionism IV. Only phenomena and hence knowledge confirmed by the senses can be warranted as knowledge Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
What are the main features of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016?
Use of public office for private gain is known as:
Which among the following are possessed by primitive people as personal private property?
In more developed agricultural societies
