What characterizes tributary production in non-industrial societies?

Tributary production in non-industrial societies is characterized by a system in which individuals or families produce goods, particularly food, but a portion of that production is taken as tribute by an elite or ruling class. This model reflects a hierarchical socio-economic structure where the elite do not engage in direct production but instead maintain power through their control over the surplus. This requires both agricultural production by the common people and the extraction of a portion of that production to support the elite, thereby ensuring their continued status and authority.

This distinction reinforces the social dynamics within these societies, showcasing how economic production is tied to social stratification. Unlike purely communal production systems, tributary production allows for the existence of an elite class that influences and controls resources and wealth distribution. This contrasts with options that suggest community consensus or solely local consumption, as those would imply a more egalitarian system without the clear division between producers and elite. The idea of market exchange replacing traditional methods also deviates from the essence of tributary production, which relies on a system of tribute rather than market dynamics.