The article aims at establishing the relationship between nutrition and politics. The author has done a thorough job in writing this article because it has many highlights on how these two aspects of human life relate. For example, politics determine how individuals survive because political decisions have a significant effect on social lives and the economy. People must live per economic constraints in their countries (Pinhasi and Stock 92). Therefore, this article is extremely informative because it highlights different reactions to political impacts from different cultural backgrounds. The article also shows how dietary changes take effect depending on the class of people including politicians and high-income earners in the society.
In this article, issues about differences in incomes and their implications in human feeding habits are evident. For example, the argument about egalitarian society, which consists of people who have insignificant differences in their wealth, makes a lot of sense. This is where people are discouraged to own personal properties hence concentrating on building their communities. Their feeding habits remain the same as diet is controlled by equal distribution of foods among members of the society. The fact that everything is done on a communal basis equal access to nutritional foods is emphasized (Pinhasi and Stock 92).
This is because hunters will share their kill while farmers will share their produce hence ending up with a balanced diet for all. From the article, this argument is vital because if communities work as a unit, they can use their political powers in line with nutritional resources distribution for all. For instance, in the egalitarian society leaders exercise their political powers to ensure that people share their foods by discouraging the individual accumulation of wealth. This shows how the politics of a given society can influence eating habits by ensuring that all members get access to nutrition resources.
This article is exceptionally convincing as it helps people in understanding how politics may be useful to communities by guiding aspects such as diet. For example, the argument about egalitarianism has direct evidence on how communities’ politics can determine peoples’ lifestyles. On the other hand, the argument has some weaknesses which include determining human health status by looking at mortuary records.
For example, foraging subsistence and population densities should not be used to determine cemetery sizes (Peregrine and Ember 86). In fact, issues regarding setting up cemeteries should be guided by factors such as duration of intended use as opposed to foraging subsistence. The article further argues that burial grounds are determined by permanent villages and earthworks. Burial grounds should be set up in places where people live regardless of their numbers. It does not require permanent villages for people to die; therefore, that should not be used as a factor when setting up cemeteries.
I also liked the way the article relates several aspects of social lives to nutrition. In fact, it is particularly appealing for one to learn how different aspects relate to their feeding habits. In addition, the article details changes in various developments, in societies and cultures (Curet and Stringer 104). This allows readers to understand basic principles guiding various cultural societies. Just like any other article analyzing political aspects and nutrition, this article has addressed issues regarding sex. The egalitarian societies ensured that both males and females had access to healthy foods hence improving their lives.
The empowerment of women was addressed in this article just like in other articles discussing similar issues. This is evident when the author explains how the egalitarian society empowers women due to economic exchanges. This was essential because society encouraged everyone to work hard to improve their community. Therefore, the article covers all social aspects of any given society effectively.
Works Cited
Curet, Antonio, and Stringer Lisa M. Tibes: people, power, and ritual at the center of the cosmos. Alabama: University of Alabama Press, 2009. Print.
Peregrine, Peter, and Ember Melvin. Encyclopedia of Prehistory, Volume 3. London: Springer Science & Business, 2002. Print.
Pinhasi, Ron, and Stock Jay T. Human Bioarchaeology of the Transition to Agriculture. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print.