People knew each other 's role in their society , and thus the social position one held ( Gellner 2008 , XXII ) .
Gellner claimed that this structure was the defining characteristic of one 's identity in pre-modern times .
People knew each other 's role in their society , and thus the social position one held ( Gellner   , XXII ) .
Gellner claimed that this structure was the defining characteristic of one 's identity in pre-modern times .