Warless and warlike hunter-gatherers: a comparison

Warless Societies and the Origin of War • The University of Michigan Press • Ann Arbor, MI • Published In • Pages: 41-73 •
By Kelly, Robert L.

Abstract

This book examines the characteristics of warlike and warless foraging societies, as well as the transitional stages that occur when a society becomes warlike. Several predicted correlates of warfare frequency are supported.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Combination

Hypotheses (7)

HypothesisSupported
There will be a positive relationship between unsegmented societies and low frequency of warfare among foragers (50).Supported
There will be a positive relationship between unsegmented societies and low kin group vengeance among foragers (54).Supported
There will be an association between kin group member liability to vengeance and the conceptualization of marriage as a group transaction (61).Supported
Exogamous marriage practices will be negatively related to frequency of warfare (62).Supported
Frequency of warfare will be negatively associated with mobility (65).Not Supported
Food storage will be positively associated with frequency of warfare (69).Supported
Population density will be positively associated with warfare frequency (71).Not Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Megan Farrer