In this Virtual Branch talk, Dr Alvin Finkel challenges claims that egalitarian, peaceful societies disappeared with the founding of agriculture or with the founding of state-level social organisation. 

Different authors have suggested that early human society was essentially egalitarian in nature, with hierarchies only later becoming common. The point at which this has taken place varies, some blaming the beginnings of agriculture or the initiation of early state-level societies. 

Dr Alvin Finkel challenges both ideas by maintaining that those early human values of egalitarianism have endured to the present day. If we shift our gaze from the ruling classes of society for the last 4,000 years to the masses whom they have controlled, we find constant efforts to overthrow slavery, feudal society and both capitalism and authoritarian versions of socialism. Both the extent and the successes of such bottom-up efforts, when we explore them, especially if we set aside Western ethnocentrism, change our view of human history.

Alvin Finkel is one of Canada’s best known and most prolific historians. Author, co-author or co-editor of 14 books, he specialises in labour history and the history of social policy. Dr Finkel was a history professor for over 40 years, including 36 years with Athabasca University, where he was the first historian to be hired.

This talk took place on 17 September 2024.

If you're a member of the HA you can watch a recording of the lecture online:

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