World History 101: Rethinking-Early-History - The Three Lost Freedoms, Freedom to Move, to Disobey, and to Create New Social Realities

? What this actually is

The Three Lost Freedoms: Freedom to Move, to Disobey, and to Create New Social Realities ?

This concept, developed by anthropologists and historians, challenges the conventional narrative of human history as a linear progression from "savagery" to "civilization." The Three Lost Freedoms reveal that, in fact, many ancient societies enjoyed a high degree of freedom and autonomy, which were gradually eroded by the rise of states and empires. This matters today because it highlights the importance of understanding how power is exercised and how social creativity is stifled. By examining the past through this lens, we can better comprehend the roots of inequality, the nature of state power, and the potential for social change.

The common myth is that human history is a story of gradual progress, with the rise of agriculture, cities, and states leading to increased complexity and sophistication. However, this narrative obscures the fact that many ancient societies were highly complex and creative, with their own forms of social organization, art, and culture. The Three Lost Freedoms offer an alternative view, one that emphasizes the importance of freedom, autonomy, and creativity in shaping human history.

? Key ideas (from the scholars)

1. Freedom to Move

• Scholar: David Graeber and David Wengrow
• Argument: Many ancient societies had a high degree of mobility and freedom to travel, which allowed for the exchange of ideas, cultures, and technologies.
• Example: The nomadic herders of the Eurasian steppes, who developed complex societies and trade networks despite lacking a centralized state.

2. Freedom to Disobey ?

• Scholar: James C. Scott
• Argument: Pre-state societies often had a high degree of autonomy and freedom to disobey, which allowed for the development of complex social relationships and cultural practices.
• Example: The Zomia region of Southeast Asia, where numerous small-scale societies developed complex systems of governance and social organization without a centralized state.

3. Freedom to Create New Social Realities ?

• Scholar: Peter Turchin
• Argument: Human societies have always been capable of creating new social realities through collective action and creativity.
• Example: The development of complex societies in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, which involved the creation of new social institutions, art forms, and technologies.

? Hidden rule nobody explains

The conventional narrative of human history often assumes that the rise of states and empires was a natural progression, driven by the need for security, stability, and economic growth. However, this overlooks the fact that many ancient societies were highly complex and creative, with their own forms of social organization and governance. In fact, the rise of states and empires often involved the suppression of existing social forms and the imposition of centralized authority. This hidden rule highlights the importance of understanding how power is exercised and how social creativity is stifled.

? The deeper story

The conventional version of human history tells us that the rise of agriculture led to the development of cities, states, and empires. However, this narrative overlooks the fact that many ancient societies were highly complex and creative, with their own forms of social organization and governance. The evidence from archaeology, anthropology, and history suggests that many ancient societies had a high degree of freedom and autonomy, which were gradually eroded by the rise of states and empires.

• Archaeological sites such as Göbekli Tepe and Çatalhöyük reveal complex societies with their own forms of social organization, art, and culture.
• Textual sources such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Rigveda highlight the importance of social creativity and collective action in shaping human history.
• Data from anthropology and history suggest that many ancient societies had a high degree of mobility and freedom to travel, which allowed for the exchange of ideas, cultures, and technologies.

? Why this still matters

Understanding the Three Lost Freedoms highlights the importance of freedom, autonomy, and creativity in shaping human history. It challenges the conventional narrative of human progress and emphasizes the need for social creativity and collective action in addressing contemporary issues such as inequality, climate change, and state power.

? Your move today

Goal: Read a primary source excerpt from the Epic of Gilgamesh or the Rigveda to understand the importance of social creativity and collective action in shaping human history. Step-by-step:
1. Choose a primary source excerpt from the Epic of Gilgamesh or the Rigveda.
2. Read the excerpt carefully and take notes on the themes and ideas presented.
3. Reflect on how the ideas presented in the excerpt relate to the Three Lost Freedoms and the importance of social creativity and collective action in shaping human history. What to save: A one-paragraph summary of the excerpt in your own words, highlighting the themes and ideas presented.

? Resource asset for today

Glossary of Key Terms:

Common misunderstandings & nuance

Misunderstanding 1: The Three Lost Freedoms are only relevant to ancient societies and do not apply to modern times. Nuance: While the Three Lost Freedoms may have been more pronounced in ancient societies, they are still relevant to modern times and can inform our understanding of contemporary issues such as inequality, climate change, and state power.

Misunderstanding 2: The Three Lost Freedoms are only relevant to societies without centralized states. Nuance: The Three Lost Freedoms can be found in societies with and without centralized states, and are not limited to pre-state societies.

Sign you're understanding it correctly: You can explain in your own words how the Three Lost Freedoms relate to the importance of social creativity and collective action in shaping human history.

? Completion check

"I can explain in my own words how the Three Lost Freedoms relate to the importance of social creativity and collective action in shaping human history."