Sahlins argues that chiefly redistribution is not different in principle and nothing but a highly organized form of kinship-rank reciprocity. Others, such as French Marxist anthropologist Claude Meillassoux, used the development of ranked kin redistribution from generalized reciprocity as the basis for a lineage mode of production found in western African chiefdoms and kingdoms.
Sahlins maintains that chiefly redistribution is not fundamentally distinct; rather, it's an exceptionally organized form of reciprocal exchange based on kinship rankings. Others, such as Claude Meillassoux, built upon this idea to develop a lineage-based mode of production in western African chiefdoms and kingdoms.