Redistribution Of Resources

Societies have some system of economic exchange involving the centralized collection of goods or wealth from members of a group, followed by the redistribution of those resources among the group members. This practice differs from simple reciprocity, which occurs between two parties, as redistribution involves pooling resources within a group.

Key Features of Redistribution:

1. Centralized Collection: A central authority, such as a chief, leader, or institution, gathers resources from community members.
2. Pooling of Resources: Goods, labor, or wealth are accumulated in a central location.
3. Redistribution Process: The collected resources are then dispersed among group members, often to meet various needs or maintain social cohesion.

Functions of Redistribution:

1. Social Integration: It helps unify communities by balancing the distribution of goods and wealth.
2. Economic Leveling: Redistribution can reduce economic inequality by preventing extreme wealth disparities7
3. Status and Power: The central authority overseeing redistribution often gains prestige and influence within the community.
4. Resource Management: In some cases, redistribution helps manage variable resource availability, as seen in the potlatch system of Northwestern Native American groups.

Examples of Redistribution:

1. Potlatch System: Native American groups in the Northwestern United States and Canada used this system to redistribute goods between groups with surpluses and those with deficits49.
2. Melanesian “Big Man” System: Leaders gain prestige by collecting and redistributing resources during feasts or ‘moka’ events.
3. Modern Welfare States: Governments collect taxes and redistribute resources through public services and welfare benefits.
4. Religious Institutions: Some organizations, like neo-Pentecostal churches in South Africa, engage in redistribution practices.
5. Household Pooling: The most basic form of redistribution occurs within families with resource sharing among members.

Redistribution remains an important economic mechanism in various forms across different societies, from traditional tribal systems to modern capitalist economies. It plays a crucial role in maintaining social cohesion, managing resources, and addressing economic inequalities within communities.

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