How did Herbert Spencer explain the growth of complex civilizations?

Herbert Spencer, an influential English sociologist, explained the growth of complex civilizations through a general evolutionary scheme that viewed human societies as organisms developing from simple to complex forms.12

He posited that human cultures evolved from undifferentiated "hordes" into complex civilizations primarily through an increasing division of labour. As societies progressed, they developed social hierarchies—including priests, kings, scholars, and workers—and accumulated knowledge that eventually differentiated into various sciences.12

Spencer further categorized this development by distinguishing between two fundamental types of societies:
* Military societies: Cooperation is secured through force and despotism.2
* Industrial societies: Cooperation is voluntary, spontaneous, and characterized by individualism, which he considered the hallmark of a civilized state.2

Additionally, Spencer drew a detailed biological analogy, comparing the structures of human societies to those of animal organisms. He likened government to a central nervous system, industry to a sustaining system, and infrastructure (such as roads and telegraphs) to a distribution system. While his theories were once highly influential, his specific views on social evolution and the justification of minimal state intervention are no longer accepted in modern social science.21