What kind of people were our earliest leaders?

The evolution of human societies is a fascinating subject that has been explored by scientists for centuries. Among the most intriguing aspects of human societies is the role of leadership. The concept of leadership has been present in human societies since the earliest times. It is a subject that has attracted the attention of anthropologists, sociologists, and historians alike. In this article, we will examine the status of the leader in the earliest human societies and its possible effects on other members of the community.

The Status of the Leader in Early Human Societies

The earliest human societies were small bands of hunter-gatherers who roamed the earth in search of food and shelter. These bands were usually led by a single individual who was responsible for making decisions and directing the activities of the group. The leader was typically a male, and his position was based on his physical strength, intelligence, and ability to provide for the group.

The status of the leader in these early societies was primarily based on his ability to provide for the group. The leader was responsible for leading the group on hunting expeditions, gathering food, and providing protection from predators and other groups. The leader’s role was crucial to the survival of the group, and his position was respected and revered by the other members.

According to a study conducted by the anthropologist Christopher Boehm, in his book “Hierarchy in the Forest: The Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior,” the earliest human societies were egalitarian. The leader was not seen as superior to the other members of the group. His position was earned through his ability to provide for the group, and he was expected to share the spoils of his hunts and gatherings with the rest of the group.

Boehm’s study shows that in these early societies, the leader was not a dictator. He was expected to listen to the opinions of the other members of the group and make decisions based on the consensus of the group. The leader’s role was to guide the group, not to control it.

The Effects of Leadership on Other Members of the Community

The role of the leader in early human societies had a significant impact on the other members of the community. The leader was responsible for setting the tone for the group, and his behavior influenced the behavior of the other members. If the leader was brave, courageous, and selfless, the other members of the group were more likely to exhibit those same traits.

According to a study conducted by the psychologist Kurt Lewin, the behavior of the leader has a significant impact on the behavior of the other members of the group. Lewin’s study, known as the “Hawthorne Effect,” showed that when the leader exhibited positive behavior, the other members of the group were more likely to exhibit that same behavior.

The leader’s behavior also had a significant impact on the social dynamics of the group. If the leader was fair, just, and egalitarian, the other members of the group were more likely to treat each other with respect and equality. If the leader was tyrannical, abusive, and unfair, the other members of the group were more likely to treat each other with disrespect and inequality.

For example, in a study conducted by the anthropologist Richard Lee, in his book “The !Kung San: Men, Women, and Work in a Foraging Society,” the !Kung San of southern Africa are an egalitarian society where the role of leadership is based on the ability to provide for the group. Lee found that the !Kung San have a strong sense of community, and the behavior of the leader sets the tone for the rest of the group.

Lee’s study showed that the !Kung San have a deep respect for their leaders, but they also hold them accountable for their actions. If a leader behaves unfairly or shows favoritism, the other members of the group are likely to hold him accountable and demand that he change his behavior. This shows that even in societies where leadership is based on the ability to provide for the group, the behavior of the leader has a significant impact on the behavior of the other members.

In societies where leadership is based on inheritance or birthright, the impact of the leader on the other members of the community is even more significant. In these societies, the leader is often seen as a divine or semi-divine figure, and his behavior and decisions are considered infallible. The leader’s behavior sets the tone for the entire community, and the other members are expected to follow his example.

For example, in ancient Egypt, the pharaoh was seen as a divine figure, and his behavior and decisions were considered to be the will of the gods. The pharaoh’s behavior set the tone for the entire community, and the other members were expected to follow his example. This had a significant impact on the social dynamics of ancient Egypt and contributed to the stability and longevity of the Egyptian civilization.

Conclusion

The role of leadership in early human societies was crucial to the survival and well-being of the community. The leader was responsible for providing for the group, guiding its decisions, and setting the tone for the social dynamics of the group. The behavior of the leader had a significant impact on the behavior of the other members of the community, and his decisions and actions could either promote or undermine the well-being of the group.

In egalitarian societies, the role of leadership was based on the ability to provide for the group, and the leader was expected to listen to the opinions of the other members and make decisions based on the consensus of the group. In societies where leadership was based on inheritance or birthright, the impact of the leader on the other members of the community was even more significant, as the leader was often seen as a divine or semi-divine figure, and his decisions and actions were considered infallible.

Overall, the role of leadership in early human societies played a crucial role in shaping the social dynamics of the community and contributed to the survival and well-being of the group. The study of leadership in early human societies is an important area of research that sheds light on the origins of leadership and its impact on human societies throughout history.

References

Here is a reference list of scientific books on the content discussed in the article:

1 – Boehm, C. (1999). Hierarchy in the forest: The evolution of egalitarian behavior. Harvard University Press.
2 – Carneiro, R. L. (1987). The transition from quantity to quality: A neglected causal mechanism in accounting for social evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 84(16), 5399-5403.
3 – Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, germs, and steel: The fates of human societies. W. W. Norton & Company.
4 – Johnson, A. W., & Earle, T. K. (1987). The evolution of human societies: From foraging group to agrarian state. Stanford University Press.
5 – Service, E. R. (1975). Origins of the state and civilization: The process of cultural evolution. W. W. Norton & Company.
6 – Wright, R. (1994). The moral animal: Why we are the way we are: The new science of evolutionary psychology. Pantheon Books.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other relevant scientific books on the topic.