Explain the meaning of following terms :

(a) Cultural Evolutionism

(b) Estates System

(c) Great Tradition

(d) Little Tradition

therory of culture, which argues that just like natural species, culture also evalues through variation and natural selection.

(b) Estate System : This was a system in feudal Europe of ranking according to occupation. The three estate were the nobility, clergy and the ‘third estate’. The last were chiefly professional and middle class people. Each estate elected its own representations. Peasants and labourers did not have the vote.

(c) Great Tradition : It comprises of the cultural traits or traditions which are written and widely accepted by the elites of a society who are educated and learned.

(d) Little Tradition : It comprises of the cultural traits or traditions which are oral and operates at the village level.