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Comparing Fried, Harris And Leslie White

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Unlike anthropologists before them Morton H. Fried, Marvin Harris and Leslie White are including less about humans themselves in their theories. When looking at the theories of earlier theorists (such as Herbert Spencer) one can see that change seems to be driven by human beings and their progress. Though it is not as prominent in the theories of Fried, Harris and White, there is still a relationship between humans and change.
Fried theorizes about the evolution of social stratification and the state, he takes 10,000 years of archaeological data and forms a theory going from Stage A to Stage D. Harris is focused in India, studying how the treatment of the cow reflects the culture. White looks at energy and how a society’s increased ability to harness and save it has to do with technological advancement.
In each of these theories it is evident that under certain circumstances human beings are relevant to the anthropological understanding of sociocultural change.
Fried tells his readers about the development of society through transition. The rankings of society start at Stage A where there is a non-rank, non-stratified …show more content…

This development varies according to the amount of energy per capita per year harnessed and put to work (pg. 226). White also mentions the use of technology and its role in the harnessing of energy. The efficiency of the technology allows for cultural advancement due to more energy being harnessed by man and being put to work effectively.
White looks at all of this in terms of numbers, he quantifies the amount of energy gained and needed in order to produce culture-living and culture building. With efficient and effective use of technology and tools comes more energy.
This advancement allows human beings the time and energy to take care of their bodily needs – food, water, shelter, etc. – in order to even think about harnessing extra energy (pg.

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