description Morton Fried Overview
Morton Fried (1923–1986) was an American anthropologist who proposed a highly influential evolutionary typology of political organization in his 1967 work "The Evolution of Political Society." He categorized human societies into four progressive stages: egalitarian, rank, stratified, and state societies. This model became a central framework in mid-20th-century political anthropology, offering students and researchers a structured way to analyze the development of social hierarchies and institutionalized power.
insights Ranking position
Morton Fried ranks #142 of 304 in the Anthropologist ranking, behind Paul Radin, ahead of Roy D'Andrade.
help Morton Fried FAQ
What were Morton Fried's four types of political society?
In The Evolution of Political Society, Fried described egalitarian, ranked, stratified, and state societies. His model focused especially on how unequal access to resources and political power developed.
How did Morton Fried explain the origin of the state?
Fried argued that states emerged from increasingly stratified societies rather than simply from population growth or warfare. He treated institutionalized inequality as a crucial step in that transition.
Why did Morton Fried criticize the concept of the tribe?
In The Notion of Tribe, Fried argued that many supposedly ancient tribes were shaped or consolidated through contact with states. He therefore questioned whether the tribe was a reliable universal stage of social evolution.
How does Morton Fried's model differ from Elman Service's model?
Elman Service organized societies as bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states, emphasizing forms of political integration. Fried instead classified them by access to status and resources, making inequality central to his model.
explore Explore More
Similar to Morton Fried
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
