Which type of society is most commonly thought to engage in warfare?

The type of society most commonly associated with engaging in warfare is states. In anthropological terms, states are large, complex societies with centralized governments and hierarchical political structures. These features often lead to organized military forces, which can mobilize resources and personnel to engage in warfare, whether for expansion, conquest, or defense against external threats.

States have the capacity to support larger population centers and resource allocation that can sustain military campaigns, unlike smaller, less centralized societies. Their political organization allows for the establishment of laws, governance, and formal military leadership, which are crucial for conducting warfare. Furthermore, historical and contemporary examples of state-level societies show a tendency towards conflict, driven by competition for resources, territory, and power.

In contrast, bands and food foragers typically operate with egalitarian social structures that prioritize subsistence and communal living, where warfare is rare or limited due to their nomadic lifestyle and reliance on local resources. Chiefdoms may engage in conflict, but their warfare tends to be less organized and frequent compared to states, often driven by disputes over resources or prestige rather than large-scale military campaigns. Thus, states are the clear answer for the type of society most frequently involved in warfare.