Which term best describes societies where power and resources are funneled to elites?

The term that best describes societies where power and resources are funneled to elites is state societies. In state societies, governance is characterized by a centralized authority that organizes political and economic life, leading to a clear hierarchy. This structure enables elites to accumulate power and resources, reinforcing social stratification.

State societies typically possess complex institutions and bureaucracies, which manage resources such as taxation, legal systems, and military forces. This concentration of power facilitates the control and distribution of resources among different groups, often prioritizing the elite's interests over those of the general population.

In contrast, chiefdoms are more decentralized than state societies and often rely on a leader with limited power, while nomadic tribes and hunter-gatherer groups typically have egalitarian structures with shared resources and decision-making processes. These types of societies do not funnel resources or power to a small elite but rather maintain a more communal or egalitarian distribution.