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Political Organization

Part II of the Religion/Political Organization Unit. Political Organization. 4 levels of Political Integration. Band Tribe Chiefdom State. The Band. Small in size 20-100 people usually nomadic, food collectors Some examples: Guayaki (Amazon Basin) !Kung San (Kalahari Desert)

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Political Organization

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  1. Part II of the Religion/Political Organization Unit Political Organization

  2. 4 levels of Political Integration • Band • Tribe • Chiefdom • State

  3. The Band • Small in size • 20-100 people • usually nomadic, food collectors • Some examples: • Guayaki (Amazon Basin) • !Kung San (Kalahari Desert) • The beloved Mbuti • And of course, roving bands of hippies

  4. Band Leadership • Bands typically led, if at all, by Headman • Not a formal position • Most often, headmen exhibit traits necessary to a group • Best hunter from a group that relies on hunting, or most proficient shaman, etc. • No permanent authority, no individuals with formal power

  5. Quick Aside • Imagine Mayo High School as “the world” • Who would make up the various “bands?” • Who might be headmen/headwomen? Why? • Talk to your neighbor for a minute, then let’s talk together for a minute

  6. The Tribe • Think of as several bands united by some common characteristic • Multi-local integration • Temporary • Generally informal • Tend to be food producers • Higher pop. density • More sedentary living

  7. Kinship System • Segmentary Lineage System – Tiv of Nigeria • Creates system of “Complimentary Opposition” • Creates a powerful defense (or attack) against un-united neighbors • Nuer v. much larger but less-closely-allied Dinka in early 1800’s

  8. Age-Set Systems • Karamajong of Uganda • Elders are primary decision-makers – remain in a locality • Pastoral life - following herds – takes adults and elders to various localities • Age set makes sure they fit in a social hierarchy, regardless of the geographic locality

  9. The Chiefdom • Emergence of formal leadership – “the CHIEF” • Usually permanent • Sometimes hereditary • High status • In many cases connected to divine power • Often involved in redistribution of goods

  10. The State • Autonomous unit encompassing many communities • Centralized Government • Becomes an occupation, not just a social station • Use force to maintain control

  11. The State cont’d • A Society may contain more than one state • Example(s)? • “Western” Society, • A State may contain more than one society • Example(s)? • Canada • Tendency for specialization and stratification

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