h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There is no doubt in my mind that there have been peoples such as those you describe. The simple clan style of society where all contribute must have been a beautiful thing.

Your error, however, is believing that civilisation was the cause of the loss of the simple life. It was greed (and sometimes desperation) that caused gangs and tribes to form warring parties. The Hun, and groups like them, forced small local tribes to band together to defend themselves to ensure their continued freedom.

World War II was about just such an expansionistic effort; and, if it weren't for many countries coming together in defense, we could all be speaking German now, and with a lot less freedom.

The tradeoff is that the new, larger, clans must obey internal laws. This is no different than the simpler times, just more complicated.

You use the term slavery too loosely, I'm afraid. Slaves cannot choose their tasks or their destiny. Slaves have no freedom of movement, or rights of ownership. Slaves cannot protect their families from the merest whim of their masters. Slaves have rarely received education, except where the master insisted.

You may simply be yearning for a simpler time, but if the governments of the world all dissolved themselves tomorrow, in a week there would be gangs intent on preying on the weaker groups. The disorder would soon be more horrific, violent, and more dog-eat-dog than anything in our global history.

You and I would more likely be prey than hunter.