--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Not so very long ago, however, such…" description: "\"“Not so very long ago, however, such self-governing peoples were the majority of humankind. Today, they are seen from the valley kingdoms as “our livin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/james-c-scott-23599_long-ago_not-so-very-long-ago-however-such-self-g_578052.jpg" --- # Not so very long ago, however, such self-governing peoples… ![“Not so very long ago, however, such self-governing peoples were the majority of humankind. Today, they are seen from the valley kingdoms as “our living ancestors,” “what we were like before we discovered wet-rice cultivation, Buddhism and civilization.” on the contrary, I argue that hill peoples…” quote by James C. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/james-c-scott-23599_long-ago_not-so-very-long-ago-however-such-self-g_578052.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/james-c-scott-23599_long-ago_not-so-very-long-ago-however-such-self-g_578052.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/james-c-scott-23599_long-ago_not-so-very-long-ago-however-such-self-g_578052.jpg) > ““Not so very long ago, however, such self-governing peoples were the majority of humankind. Today, they are seen from the valley kingdoms as “our living ancestors,” “what we were like before we discovered wet-rice cultivation, Buddhism and civilization.” on the contrary, I argue that hill peoples are best understood as runaway, fugitive, maroon communities who have, over the course of two millennia, been fleeing the oppressions of state-making projects in the valleys — slavery, conscription, taxes, corvée labor, epidemics, and warfare.”” [James C. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-scott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hill societies have historically fled state oppression, forming autonomous, marginal communities. **In simple terms:** Hill peoples escaped state control, creating independent groups. Key Takeaway Recognize the value of autonomous, resilient communities. Themes history autonomy resistance Mood reflective critical Type anthropology historical analysis When to use this quote - rural development - indigenous rights advocacy - anthropological research - policy design Key Concepts state formation social marginalization cultural survival Questions to Reflect On - What lessons can modern societies learn from these autonomous groups? - How can we support their resilience without imposing external agendas? A Different Perspective Romanticizing autonomy may overlook internal challenges and external pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Governing Peoples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governing-peoples-4757022/) [Hill Peoples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hill-peoples-4757021/) [Long ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-ago/) [Majority Humankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority-humankind-3637211/) [Valley Kingdoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valley-kingdoms-4757023/) [Valleys Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valleys-slavery-4757024/) ## Related quotes > [The majority of humankind does not accept this system, despite claims of worldwide support. 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