Getting food

Hunting and Gathering (Foraging)

1. Number of Resources Used: Exploits the widest variety of plant and animal species.

2. Proximity to Resources: Uses locally available resources.

3. Variation in Diet: Great seasonal variation.

4. Mobility: Nomadic; fishing groups are often sedentary.

5. Relationship to Land: Use rights but no ownership concept.

6. Population for Subsistence: Everyone forages for food.

7. Occupational Specialization: None.

8. Group Size: Small, ~10-100 people.

9. Population Density: Lowest, ~1-2 per square mile.

10. Labor Intensity: Minimal; efficient production allows free time.

11. Trade: Minimal.

12. Social Differentiation: Egalitarian; equal access to resources, power, and prestige.

Agriculture

1. Number of Resources Used: Monocropping (wheat, rice, corn, potatoes).

2. Proximity to Resources: Often relies on imported crops.

3. Variation in Diet: Limited; staple crops dominate.

4. Mobility: Sedentary; permanent villages or cities.

5. Relationship to Land: Private ownership.

6. Population for Subsistence: 90-95% required for food production.

7. Occupational Specialization: 5-10% specialize.

8. Group Size: Large, tens of thousands.

9. Population Density: High.

10. Labor Intensity: Very productive; dawn-to-dusk work.

11. Trade: Significant for unavailable resources.

12. Social Differentiation: Incipient stratification; rural farmers integrated into larger societies.

Commercial Food Production

1. Number of Resources Used: Monocropping (wheat, rice, corn).

2. Proximity to Resources: Global availability of food; reliance on few species.

3. Variation in Diet: Monotonous; year-round availability.

4. Mobility: Mobile populations; food is transported to people.

5. Relationship to Land: Private ownership and taxation.

6. Population for Subsistence: 2% in industrialized countries.

7. Occupational Specialization: Extremely high, ~98%.

8. Group Size: Billions of people.

9. Population Density: Extremely high (e.g., 3926/sq. mile in Milwaukee County).

10. Labor Intensity: Intensive; wage labor; machinery powered by fossil fuels.

11. Trade: Vital for survival.

12. Social Differentiation: Rigid social classes; resources allocated by wealth.

Horticulturalism

1. Number of Resources Used: 50-60 plant species; supplemented by hunting and gathering.

2. Proximity to Resources: Uses locally available resources.

3. Variation in Diet: Seasonal; dominant calorie source from one crop (e.g., yams, manioc).

4. Mobility: Land rotation every 2-20 years; sustainable slash-and-burn techniques.

5. Relationship to Land: Communally owned by kin groups.

Pastoralism

1. Number of Resources Used: Relies on one or two mammal species.

2. Proximity to Resources: Uses locally available resources.

3. Variation in Diet: Seasonal; relies on animal products (milk, cheese, etc.).

4. Mobility: Nomadic; requires the largest area of any subsistence strategy.

5. Relationship to Land: Open access; some grazing rights obtained via contracts or labor exchange.