Do you think that social roles (e.g., class, gender, age, etc.)would have been stricter in societies with more or lessinstitutional complexity? Why?

Yes, it is generally believed that social roles would have been stricter in societies with more institutional complexity. Here's why:

1. Definition of Institutional Complexity: Institutional complexity refers to the number and diversity of societal rules, norms, and structures. This includes legal systems, religious institutions, educational systems, and more.

2. Role of Institutions in Defining Social Roles: Institutions often play a key role in defining and enforcing social roles. For example, a legal system might enforce gender roles by having different laws for men and women, while a religious institution might enforce age roles by having different expectations for young and old members.

3. Increased Complexity = Increased Strictness: As institutional complexity increases, the number and specificity of social roles also tends to increase. This is because more complex societies have more diverse and specialized roles to fill, and thus need stricter rules to ensure that everyone knows their place and duties.

4. Historical Examples: Historically, we can see this trend in many societies. For example, in feudal Europe, there were very strict class roles enforced by a complex system of laws and norms. On the other hand, in many hunter-gatherer societies, which had less institutional complexity, social roles were often more flexible.

5. Exceptions and Variations: Of course, this is a general trend and there are many exceptions and variations. Some complex societies have relatively flexible social roles, while some simple societies have strict roles. The relationship between institutional complexity and social role strictness is influenced by many other factors, including cultural values, economic conditions, and historical events.

In conclusion, while there are exceptions and variations, it is generally true that social roles tend to be stricter in societies with more institutional complexity.