[Eol]

Every society, not matter how "special" they are must have a functioning government and social structure.

Now status does not necessarily mean it is based on monetary value. The greeks, they based it on how much land you owned. It was not until the reforms of Solon then did the greeks come into basing status on wealth.

Now the elves, I get the impression that they are a fuedal society where you have a lord who owns land and serfs were are tied to the land. Monarchy with a clan structure beginning in the Silmarillion under Fingon.

Tolkien never goes into detail about elven culture or any other culture in fact. He most famous stories focus on the noble and well off. Though those would be the only ones who would travel and be on "quests".

Someone has to do the work. Examples: Cirdan and the contruction of ships. The construction of armour and weapon under Feanor and later other leaders. There has to be a social structure, a pecking order.

It is nobler to think it is a one, big, happy family. However, it would quickly get out of hand unless you break it down.