Political Organization Chapter 12 Political Organization

Chapter Questions What roles do politics, law and religion play in regulating human behavior? What are the major forms of political organization and how are they related to other features of culture and society?

Chapter Questions How do anthropologists explain warfare in tribal societies? How have anthropologists contributed to alternative forms of conflict management in the united sates? What does the prehistoric Asante state tell us about the connections between political power and social stratification?

Egalitarian Societies No individual or group has more access to resources, power, or prestige than any other. No fixed number of social positions for which individuals must compete. Associated with bands and tribes.

Rank Society Institutionalized differences in prestige but no restrictions on access to basic resources. Individuals obtain what they need to survive through their kinship group. Associated with horticulture or pastoral societies with a surplus of food. Associated with chiefdoms.

Stratified Society Formal, permanent, social and economic inequality. Some people are denied access to basic resources. Characterized by differences in standard of living, security, prestige and political power.

Stratified Society Economically organized by market systems. Based on intensive cultivation (agriculture) and industrialism. Associated with form of political organization called the state.

Women and Political Offices Yoruba of Nigeria - certain offices were reserved to represent women’s interests. Nigeria - some Igbo groups had a female ruler and council concerned with women’s affairs. Mende - women were paramount chiefs, who derived their power from their roles as mothers.

Social Control of Behavior Ways societies deal with abnormal behavior and conflict: Gossip and ridicule Fear of witchcraft accusations Avoidance Supernatural sanctions

Law Law is found in every society. In complex societies, functions of law belong to legal institutions, such as courts. Law addresses conflicts that would otherwise disrupt community life.

Band Societies Small group of people (20 to 50) Related by blood or marriage Live together and are loosely associated with a territory in which they forage Egalitarian

Band Societies: Leadership Decision-making is by consensus. Leaders are older men and women. Leaders cannot enforce their decisions; They can only persuade. Sharing and generosity are important sources of respect.

Band Societies: Social Order Maintained by gossip, ridicule, and avoidance. Violations of norms are sins. Offenders may be controlled through ritual means such as public confessions. Offender is defined as a patient rather than a criminal.

Tribal Societies Members consider themselves descended from the same ancestor. Found primarily among pastoralists and horticulturalists. Egalitarian Leadership: Bigman

Chiefdom Societies Characteristics: Monumental architecture Distinct ceremonial centers Elaborate grave goods reflect high social status Larger settlements by smaller villages Cultivators and pastoralists

State Societies Central government with monopoly over the use of force. More populous, heterogeneous, and powerful than other political organizations. Able to organize large populations for coordinated action. Defend against external threats.