Hierarchy and Market, two structures as binary of history

20 March 2026, Version 1
This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed by Cambridge University Press at the time of posting.

Abstract

1) Elements of a set can establish relationships creating a structure that expresses functions. When the elements are individuals, a sociostructure is created that fulfils a function useful to group. 2) Animals are heterotrophs, so they need to eat but also to defend themselves from danger. For this reason, they often occupy a territory where they find food and protection, making it their refuge. For humans, territory is the property, possessions, and money. 3) Prehistoric and primitive humans lived in small multi-family societies called tribes, where they knew each other and collaborated in mutual assistance. 4) The agricultural-pastoral revolution allowed for the feeding of many more humans, who multiplied, but population made the tribal structure obsolete, and historical crowds gave rise to cities and states, spreading two opposing ways of relating and structuring. 5) Numerousness imposes rank and hierarchical structure, while anonymity favours property and market structure. Hierarchy and Market are the historical binary in which human societies emerge, each oriented toward one or the other. Therefore, we examine the qualities and advantages of each structure, how it affects people's lives, and the civilizations that have adopted them, even their extremes of Authoritarianism and Anarchism. We ask the reader to see beyond the forms, discourses, and flag-waving to understand the relationships and structures between humans, with their usefulness and harmfulness.

Keywords

Rank and Hierarchy
Authoritarianism
Property and Market
Anarchism
Hierarchical Civilizations
Private Civilizations.

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