If we regard THE HOBBIT as part of canon - and JRR did go back and re-write to make sure it was - the orcs/goblins did seem to have their own cities and rulers less than a century before the events of LOTR, so they must have been able to co-operate enough to keep those going. It was also stated that they were very good at technology of the loud bang variety and making things from iron. Now, Tolkien didn't approve of technology, so this wasn't meant as a compliment, but the fact remains that if you can make - and presumably design - things technological, you aren't dumb! The orcs of Goblintown in THE HOBBIT weren't being ordered around by the likes of Saruman or Sauron at that time.
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