Political Organization

1. Social Order and Disorder Political Organization

2. What is the purpose of government? • Turn to a person sitting near you and discuss. Why do we need a government in this country? Better yet, do we need a government to function as a society?

3. Types of Political Organization • Band societies • Lack of a centralized authority • Nearly all societies before the development of agriculture (ca. 10,000 years ago) were structured in this way • Usually small: less than 100 people • Varies by season. When more food is available, bands come to together • Political decision making? Usually informal • Inuit bands – there is a headman who is usually the best hunter or the most versed in rituals

4. Types of Political Organization • Tribal Organizations • Kinship groups that act autonomously, but can potentially integrate into a larger unit • Anthropological term: multilocal integration • Not permanent, still informal in nature • Usually called into play when outside threat appears • Egalitarian (like band societies) • Seen in many African societies, as well as New Guinea

6. Types of Political Organization • Chiefdom Organizations • Formal organization – usually a council or a chief • Social hierarchy (not egalitarian) w/ chief’s family at the top of the chain • Can redistribute goods and public labor on his behalf or others • Contrast to Tribal leaders who usually attain their status by personal qualities, chiefs are said to have it in their “blood.” • Polynesia: chiefs inherit special religious power called mana • Chiefs do not have the power to force people to do things • People follow their will because they are respected, and/or control substantial amounts of goods and services which go towards helping the society

7. Types of Political Organization • State Organization • “Autonomous political unit encompassing many communities within its territory and having a centralized government with the power to collect taxes, draft men for work or war, and decree and enforce laws.” • Complex, centralized political structure • Central idea: concept of legitimate force used to implement policies • States have a monopoly on police, militia, or a standing army

8. Types of Political Organization • State Organization • Can a society be comprised of more than one state? • Yes! Ancient Greek city-states, Italian city-states, Germany and Austria today • Can a state include more than one society? • Yes! British ruling over…well everyone basically, Cantons in Switzerland, Present-day Nigeria • Other important factors • Usually intensive agriculture, high degree of economic specialization and market economies • Class stratification (not egalitarian)

9. Types of Political Organization • State Organization • Radically alters people’s access to resources, ability to make their own decisions. So…. • Why accept a state society as legitimate? • People must believe those in power have a legitimate right to • Theories on why societies accept state government • Ancient rulers claimed “divine right” – but this is rare now • Parental teachings to follow authority • No good reason (people in a society are fooled) • States must provide real and rational advantages

11. Variation in Political Organization • Why do different types of political organization exist? • Size of the society is a huge factor (pun intended) • The larger the population, the greater number and types of political officials that exist • Cross-cultural survey: The more intensive the agriculture, the greater the likelihood of state organization • Here’s the amazing thing: state societies emerged independently in southern Iraq, Egypt, northwest India, and Mexico around 3500 B.C. • They were all relatively large societies, but explanation by size and agricultural dependence is too simplistic

13. Spread of the State System • States have waged war against band, tribal, and chiefdom societies – states almost always win • British and American colonialism • Rapid, world-wide change • In 1000 B.C., anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million separate political units existed in the world • Today: Fewer than 200 • Two trends: • Nation-state (think Yugoslavia breaking apart, civil war in Sudan) • Political integration (think European Union, NAFTA)

14. vs. Benefits? Disadvantages? Benefits? Disadvantages?

15. Are we moving towards larger political units, or smaller political units? • Is the nation-state still a viable political organization model? • What is the purpose of government?