18
6.
THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON SOCIETY
We can only understand the history of humanity in terms of the process of evolution
within human societies. This process brought about different
models of society
that each
marked a turning point
, and all have one thing in common: the change
from one kind of society to another has always been the consequence of
new
technology
. This might refer to a new way of working, a new source of energy, a
new manufacturing system, etc.
This table shows some types of society from history, the change in technology and the
objects or systems they developed.
Type of society
and characteristics
New technology that marked
a turning point
Objects or systems
developed
Hunter-gatherer societies
❚❚
Group leadership
❚❚
Clans and tribes
❚❚
Nomadic
❚❚
Hunting parties
The ability to shape a stone and make tools. Use of natural objects (bones, stones).
Breaking rocks (wedges). Making hand
axes and spears.
Horticultural societies
❚❚
Social groups
❚❚
Settlers
❚❚
Villages
❚❚
Surplus goods
❚❚
Specialised work
Development of agriculture and use of
farm animals.
Use of seeds and planting. Domestic
animals. Making boats, bricks and the
wheel.
Agricultural and urban societies
❚❚
Centred in cities
❚❚
Trades
❚❚
Feudal societies
❚❚
Religious power
Start of writing and use of ploughs.
Ploughing, catapults, parchment,
horseshoes, paper, domes, windmills,
glasses, clocks and printing.
Industrial societies
❚❚
Capitalist and working classes
❚❚
Economic changes (capitalism,
communism)
❚❚
Political changes (democracy,
dictatorship)
Use of machines and steam engines.
Pencils, microscopes, thermometers,
steam engines, batteries, electric
motors, photography, cars, radios and
aeroplanes.
Post-industrial societies
❚❚
Telecommunications
❚❚
Globalisation
❚❚
Middle classes
❚❚
Consumer society
❚❚
Standardisation
❚❚
New energy sources
❚❚
Sustainable development
Invention of transistors.
Nuclear reactors, satellite
communications, personal computers,
mobile phones, genetic engineering.
Understand
31.
Which type of society do these inventions belong to: submarine, boat,
harpoon, the International Space Station, gun powder?
ADVANCE EDITION
