Why is it important to remember that the chiefdom and the state,like many categories used by social scientists,are ideal types?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Categories like the chiefdom and state are ideal types because they are labels that make social contrasts seem sharper than they really are. It is important to remember this because it reminds us that these categories are not necessarily reflective of reality, and may oversimplify or exaggerate the complexity of social structures and systems. This can be especially important for anthropologists, who seek to understand the nuances and diversity of human societies.

Why Is It Important to Remember That the Chiefdom and the State,like