Why does the presence of polyphony not make one folk tradition more advanced than another?

The presence of polyphony does not indicate that a musical tradition is more advanced than another because complexity is not synonymous with superiority in folk music.1

While some cultures, particularly in parts of eastern and southern Europe, have developed sophisticated polyphonic vocal and instrumental techniques, other cultures—such as the British, the Hungarian, and the Mari people of Russia—have cultivated highly complex repertoires that are primarily monophonic.1

Ethnomusicology, the study of music in its social and cultural context, emphasizes that musical traditions are humanly organized, meaningful sounds that reflect the specific needs and histories of their respective communities. Because different cultures favor different musical forms and aesthetic goals, the structural characteristics of a tradition, such as the use of multiple melodic lines versus a single line, represent diverse artistic choices rather than a hierarchy of development.213