Politics, Power, and Violence Part II

Centralized Political Systems: As a society’s social life becomes more complex; as population rises, technology becomes more intricate, and specialization of labor and trade networks produce surplus goods; the opportunity increases for some individuals or groups to exercise control at the expense of others. As a society’s social life becomes more complex; as population rises, technology becomes more intricate, and specialization of labor and trade networks produce surplus goods; the opportunity increases for some individuals or groups to exercise control at the expense of others. In such societies, political authority and power are concentrated in a singe individual (the chief) or in a body of individuals (the state). In such societies, political authority and power are concentrated in a singe individual (the chief) or in a body of individuals (the state).

Chiefdoms Chiefdom: a regional polity in which two or more local groups are organized under a single chief, who is at the head of a ranked hierarchy of people. Chiefdom: a regional polity in which two or more local groups are organized under a single chief, who is at the head of a ranked hierarchy of people. –The leaders are considered one class, the rest of the population another class The office of the chief is usually for life and other hereditary. The office of the chief is usually for life and other hereditary. –Typically, it passes from a man to his son or his sister’s son, depending on whether descent is traced patrilineally or matrilineally.

Chiefdoms The leader of a chiefdom is generally a true authority figure, whose authority serves to unite members in all affairs and at all times. The leader of a chiefdom is generally a true authority figure, whose authority serves to unite members in all affairs and at all times. Chiefdoms have a recognized hierarchy consisting of major and minor authorities who control major and minor subdivisions. Chiefdoms have a recognized hierarchy consisting of major and minor authorities who control major and minor subdivisions. Although leaders of chiefdoms are almost always men, in some cultures a politically astute wife, sister, or single daughter of a deceased male chief could inherit such a powerful position as well. Although leaders of chiefdoms are almost always men, in some cultures a politically astute wife, sister, or single daughter of a deceased male chief could inherit such a powerful position as well.

Chiefdoms Chiefs usually control the economic activities of those who fall under their political rule. Chiefs usually control the economic activities of those who fall under their political rule. –Typically, chiefdoms involve redistributive systems, and the chief has control over surplus goods and perhaps even over the community’s labor force. The chief may also amass a great amount of personal wealth and pass it on to offspring. The chief may also amass a great amount of personal wealth and pass it on to offspring. –High-ranking families of the chiefdom may engage in the same practice and use their possessions as evidence of noble status.

Chiefdoms Traditionally, chiefdoms in all parts of the world have been highly unstable, with lesser chiefs trying to take power from higher ranking chiefs or paramount chiefs vying with one another for supreme power. Traditionally, chiefdoms in all parts of the world have been highly unstable, with lesser chiefs trying to take power from higher ranking chiefs or paramount chiefs vying with one another for supreme power. A Kpelle town chief in Liberia, West Africa, listens to a dispute in his district. A Kpelle town chief in Liberia, West Africa, listens to a dispute in his district. Settling disputes is one of several ongoing traditional tasks that fall to paramount chiefs among Kpelle people. Settling disputes is one of several ongoing traditional tasks that fall to paramount chiefs among Kpelle people.

State States differ from nations, which are communities of people who see themselves as one people with a common language, culture and territorial base, but who may or may not have an independent political organization. States differ from nations, which are communities of people who see themselves as one people with a common language, culture and territorial base, but who may or may not have an independent political organization. –About 200 states exist in today's world (the majority having come into existence after World War II), compared to some 5000 nations.

State State: in anthropology, a centralized polity involving large numbers of people within a defined territory who are divided into social classes and organized and directed by a formal government that has the capacity and authority to make laws, and use force to defend the social order. State: in anthropology, a centralized polity involving large numbers of people within a defined territory who are divided into social classes and organized and directed by a formal government that has the capacity and authority to make laws, and use force to defend the social order. –This is the most formal of political organizations and represents one of the hallmarks of what is commonly referred to as civilization.

State A large population in a state-organized society requires increased food production and wider distribution networks. A large population in a state-organized society requires increased food production and wider distribution networks. Together, these lead to a transformation of the landscape byway of irrigation and terracing, carefully managed crop rotation cycles, intensive competition for clearly demarcated lands, roads, and enough farmers and other rural workers to support market systems and a specialized urban sector. Together, these lead to a transformation of the landscape byway of irrigation and terracing, carefully managed crop rotation cycles, intensive competition for clearly demarcated lands, roads, and enough farmers and other rural workers to support market systems and a specialized urban sector.

State Ethnic differentiation and ethnocentrism become more pronounced, and the potential for social conflict increases dramatically. Ethnic differentiation and ethnocentrism become more pronounced, and the potential for social conflict increases dramatically. State institutions, which minimally involved a bureaucracy, a military, and (usually) an official religion, provide the means for numerous and diverse groups to function together as an integrated whole. State institutions, which minimally involved a bureaucracy, a military, and (usually) an official religion, provide the means for numerous and diverse groups to function together as an integrated whole.

A Nation without a State About 73% of the world’s states are pluralistic societies, having within their boundaries peoples of more than one nation. About 73% of the world’s states are pluralistic societies, having within their boundaries peoples of more than one nation. –Often, smaller nations (including tribes) and other groups find themselves at the mercy of one or more dominant nations or ethnic groups controlling the state. Frequently facing discrimination, even repression, some minority nations seek to improve their political position by founding an independent state. Frequently facing discrimination, even repression, some minority nations seek to improve their political position by founding an independent state.

A Nation without a State Some examples are: Some examples are: –The Kurdish people in habiting the borderland of Iran, Iraq and Turkey –The Palestinians whose lands have been occupied by Israel for several decades –The Chechens in the Russian federation. The Kurdish Nation

State An important aspect of the state is its delegation of authority to maintain order within and outside its borders. An important aspect of the state is its delegation of authority to maintain order within and outside its borders. –Police, foreign ministries, war ministries, and other bureaucracies function to control and punish disruptive acts of crime, dissention, and rebellion.

Nation-State An example of a state is Swaziland in southern Africa, one of the world’s few true nation-states. An example of a state is Swaziland in southern Africa, one of the world’s few true nation-states. –The traditional Swazi authority system was characterized by a highly developed dual monarch, a hereditary aristocracy, and elaborate kinship rituals, as well as by statewide age sets. –Swazi government extended from the smallest local unit, the homestead, upward to the central administration. –Swazi officials held their positions for life and were dismissed only for treason or witchcraft.

Political Systems and the Question of Legitimacy: Centralized political systems may rely upon coercion as a means of social control. Centralized political systems may rely upon coercion as a means of social control. –The emphasis on force may create resentment and lessen cooperation. Thus, police states are generally short- lived; most societies choose less extreme forms of social coercion. Thus, police states are generally short- lived; most societies choose less extreme forms of social coercion.

Political Systems and the Question of Legitimacy: Also basic to the political process is the concept of legitimacy. Also basic to the political process is the concept of legitimacy. Legitimacy: the right of political leaders to govern; to hold, use, and allocate power; based on the values of a particular society. Legitimacy: the right of political leaders to govern; to hold, use, and allocate power; based on the values of a particular society. –Like force, legitimacy is a form of support for a political system; unlike force, legitimacy is based on the values a particular society holds. –While the basis for legitimacy varies across cultures, power based on legitimacy always results in authority.

Politics and Religion: Religion is often intricately connected with politics. Religion is often intricately connected with politics. Frequently it is religion that legitimizes the political order and leadership. Frequently it is religion that legitimizes the political order and leadership. – Religious beliefs may influence or provide authoritative approval to customary rules and laws. –In both industrial and nonindustrial societies, belief in the supernatural is important and is reflected in people’s political institutions.

Politics and Religion: Within the United States there are several instances of the use of religion to legitimize political power. Within the United States there are several instances of the use of religion to legitimize political power. –the president of the United States takes the oath of office by swearing on the Bible. –the phrase “one nation, under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. –the phrase “In God We Trust” on U.S. coins. In spite of an official separation of church and state, religious legitimization of government lingers. In spite of an official separation of church and state, religious legitimization of government lingers.

Visual Counterpoint Iran and Great Britain permit a closer relationship between political and religious affairs. Shiite Muslim religious leader Ayatollah Khamenei is Iran’s supreme spiritual leader and his country’s highest political authority. In England, Queen Elizabeth is her country’s nominal head of state and head of the Anglican Church. Iran and Great Britain permit a closer relationship between political and religious affairs. Shiite Muslim religious leader Ayatollah Khamenei is Iran’s supreme spiritual leader and his country’s highest political authority. In England, Queen Elizabeth is her country’s nominal head of state and head of the Anglican Church.

Political Leadership and Gender Irrespective of cultural configuration or type of political organization, women hold important positions of political leadership far less often than men. Irrespective of cultural configuration or type of political organization, women hold important positions of political leadership far less often than men. –When they do occupy publicly recognized offices, their power and authority rarely exceed those of men. But significant exceptions occur. –Perhaps most notable is Queen Victoria, the long- reigning queen of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Political Leadership and Gender In addition to inheriting high positions of political leadership, growing numbers of women have also been elected as presidents or prime ministers. In addition to inheriting high positions of political leadership, growing numbers of women have also been elected as presidents or prime ministers. –Countries with female heads of state now or in recent years include Indonesia, Pakistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Norway, India, Turkey, Liberia, Chile, Germany, and the Philippines.

Political Leadership and Gender Lower visibility in politics does not necessarily indicate that women lack power in political affairs. Lower visibility in politics does not necessarily indicate that women lack power in political affairs. –Among the Iroquois nations of New York, men hold all positions o the village and tribal councils, as well as on the great council of the Iroquois Confederacy. –They were, however, completely beholden to women because only women could nominate men to high office. Women could also lobby to have someone removed from office.

Political Leadership and Gender In the dual-sex system of the Igbo in Nigeria, West Africa, each political unit has separate political institutions for men and women, so that both have an autonomous sphere of authority, as well as an area of shared responsibility. In the dual-sex system of the Igbo in Nigeria, West Africa, each political unit has separate political institutions for men and women, so that both have an autonomous sphere of authority, as well as an area of shared responsibility. –When the British imposed colonial rule on the Igbo in the late 1800s, they failed to recognize the autonomy and power of the women. –As a result, Igbo women lost much of their traditional equality and became subordinate to men.

Question: In a chiefdom: In a chiefdom: A.Each male member of the society is basically equal B.Each kinship group is basically equal C.The leaders are considered one class, the rest of the population another class D.Every member of the society has a unique position in the heirachy

Question: C In a chiefdom the leaders are considered one class, the rest of the population another class. In a chiefdom the leaders are considered one class, the rest of the population another class.

Question: The Kpelle soceity’s leadership is provided by: The Kpelle soceity’s leadership is provided by: A.Several paramount chiefs B.A king C.A “Big Man” D.An informal “owner”

Question: A The Kpelle soceity’s leadership is provided by several paramount chiefs. The Kpelle soceity’s leadership is provided by several paramount chiefs.

Question: Religion is used to legitimize political structures and leadership: Religion is used to legitimize political structures and leadership: A.Rarely B.Chiefly in industrial societies C.Chiefly in uncentralized political systems D.In a wide range of societies

Question: D Religion is used to legitimize political structures and leadership in a wide range of societies. Religion is used to legitimize political structures and leadership in a wide range of societies.

Types Of Political Organization: Membership Membership Number of people Settlement pattern Band Dozens and up Mobile Tribe Hundreds and up Mobile or fixed: 1 or more villages Chiefdom Thousands and up Fixed: 1 or more villages State Tens of thousands and up Fixed: Many villages and cities

Types Of Political Organization: Membership Membership Basis of relationships Ethnicities and languages BandKin1 Tribe Kin, descent groups 1 Chiefdom Kin, rank and residence 1 State Class and residence 1 or more

Types Of Political Organization: Government Membership Decision making, leadership Bureaucracy Band“Egalitarian”None Tribe Egalitarian” or Big-Man None Chiefdom Centralized, hereditary None, or 1 or 2 levels StateCentralized Many levels

Types Of Political Organization: Government Membership Conflict resolution Hierarchy of settlement BandInformalNo TribeInformalNo ChiefdomCentralized No Paramount village or head town State Laws, judges Capital

Types Of Political Organization: Economy Membership Division of labor ExchangesExchanges BandNoReciprocal TribeNoReciprocal Chiefdom No -> Yes Redistributive (“tribute”) StateYes Redistributive (“taxes”)

Types Of Political Organization: Society MembershipStratifiedSlavery BandNoNo TribeNoNo Chiefdom Yes, ranked by kin Some small-scale State Yes, by class or caste Some large-scale

Types Of Political Organization: Society Membership Luxury goods for elite Indigenous literacy BandNoNo TribeNoNo ChiefdomYes No ->Some StateYesOften