Feature

Functional Theories

Conflict Theories

Dominant relations between classes:

Reciprocity

Exploitation

Role of elites:

Provide managerial & military benefits

Extract surplus from commoners

Ecological prerequisites:

Productive risk, environmental heterogeneity

Surplus production, monopolizable resources

Economic prerequisites:

Redistributive system

Occupational specialization

Social prerequisites:

Social contract (voluntary agreement)

Circumscription (emigrating is too costly)

Monopoly on use of force:

Ensures social harmony

Maintains elite control of political economy

"Prime movers":

Conflict reduction
Risk reduction
Warfare (defensive)

Resource competition
Population pressure
Technological complexity