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.
Which among the following are possessed by primitive people as personal private property?
Understanding Property in Primitive Societies
The provided text discusses the concept of property, drawing insights from thinkers like Hobhouse and R. H. Lowie. It defines property as 'control of man over things' recognized by society and explores its evolution from primitive to more developed societies.
Property Forms in Different Societies
According to the passage, while some personal private property exists in all societies, the predominant form of economic resource ownership changes with societal development:
- In many primitive societies, principal economic resources (like hunting or grazing land) are often communally owned.
- In more developed agricultural societies, private ownership tends to predominate.
- However, even in agricultural societies, tribal or joint-family common ownership might persist, and clans or tribes may retain some control over private land use or transfer.
- Among pastoralists, land might be communal, but livestock ownership strongly develops the sense of individual property.
Personal Private Property Among Primitive People
The question specifically asks about items considered personal private property among primitive people according to the text. The passage explicitly states, referencing R. H. Lowie's account:
"There is personal private property among all primitive people, including names, dances, songs, myths, ceremonial regalia, gifts, weapons, household implements."
Analyzing the Options
Let's examine the given options based on the list provided in the text:
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Songs, myths, dances and names: The text lists names, dances, songs, and myths as examples of personal private property among primitive people.
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Weapons, gifts, ceremonial regalia & household implements: The text also lists ceremonial regalia, gifts, weapons, and household implements as examples of personal private property among primitive people.
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Both the above: Since both Option 1 and Option 2 contain items explicitly listed in the passage as personal private property among primitive people, this option suggests that the answer includes all items mentioned in both lists.
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None of the above: This is incorrect because the text clearly lists several items as personal private property for primitive people.
Based on the direct statement in the passage, the items mentioned in both Option 1 and Option 2 are indeed considered personal private property among primitive people. Therefore, the option stating "Both the above" accurately reflects the information provided in the text.
Conclusion
The passage clearly enumerates specific items that are regarded as personal private property among primitive people. These include intangible items like names, dances, songs, and myths, as well as tangible items such as ceremonial regalia, gifts, weapons, and household implements. Both options 1 and 2 list subsets of these items. Since the question asks which among the following are possessed, and both lists provided are valid examples from the text, the correct choice is the one encompassing both sets of items.
| Category | Items Listed as Personal Private Property (Primitive) |
|---|---|
| Intangible/Cultural | Names, Dances, Songs, Myths |
| Tangible/Material | Ceremonial Regalia, Gifts, Weapons, Household Implements |
Revision Table: Property Concepts
| Term | Definition/Description (based on text) | Examples (based on text) |
|---|---|---|
| Property | Control of man over things, recognized by society, permanent and exclusive. | Private property (individual/collective), Common property. |
| Communal Ownership (Primitive) | Principal economic resources owned by the community/tribe. | Hunting land, Grazing land, Pasture. |
| Personal Private Property (Primitive) | Property owned individually by primitive people. | Names, Dances, Songs, Myths, Ceremonial Regalia, Gifts, Weapons, Household Implements. |
| Private Ownership (Agricultural) | Individual ownership of economic resources, predominantly land. | Individual private property in land. |
| Communal Ownership (Pastoral) | Land may be owned communally, but livestock is individual. | Communally owned land (livestock is private). |
Additional Information: Evolution of Property Rights
The text touches upon the historical development of property rights, suggesting a shift from predominantly communal ownership in some primitive societies towards more prevalent private ownership in agricultural societies. This evolution is a major theme in socio-economic studies.
- Hunter-Gatherer Societies: Land is often tribal and not always clearly defined, primarily used for hunting and gathering, fitting the communal ownership model for principal resources.
- Agricultural Societies: The ability to cultivate specific plots of land leads to stronger ties between individuals/families and land, fostering the development of private ownership, although communal controls may remain.
- Pastoral Societies: While land might still be used communally (for grazing), the mobility and herding of livestock reinforce individual or family ownership of the animals, developing a strong sense of individual property in mobile wealth.
This evolution highlights how property systems adapt to the dominant economic activities and forms of resource utilization within a society. Personal items, however, like tools, adornments, or intangible cultural assets like songs or stories, seem to remain personal private property across various stages, as indicated by the text's mention of personal private property among all primitive people.
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:
In more developed agricultural societies
For the pastoralists:
