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Anthropology Chapter 8: Political Systems

Terms in this set (26)

Power
Basis of political status. Ability to exercise ones will over others.
Authority
The socially approved use of power.
Political organization
comprises those portions of social organizations that specifically relate to individuals or groups that mange the affairs of public policy or seek to control the appointment or activity of those individuals or groups.
Tribe
Food- producing society with rudimentary political structure. Horticulture, pastoralism. No formal government/means of enforcing political decisions. Sociopolitical typology.
Conflict resolution
Means of settling disputes. Example: Inuits- stateless societies, sing insulting songs about each other.
Law
Legal code of a state society with trial and enforcement. Sates have these based on legal codes, precedents and legislative proclamations. Preserved in writing or by oral communication (elders). Foragers lack this.
Village head
Local tribal leader with limited authority. Always a man- authority like that of a foraging band leader. Gets influence by example and persuasion. Example: sweep plaza and they will come.
Big man
Generous tribal entrepreneur with multi village support. South Pacific, Melanesian islands. Almost always a male- like village head but leadership in several villages. Regulator of regional political organization.
Pan tribal sodalities
Non kin- based group with regional political significance. Those that extend across the whole tribe spanning several villages. Often based on common age or gender-all male more common. Likely to develop in intertribal warfare, mobilize men quickly/efficiently.
Age set
Unisex (usually male) political group; includes everyone born within a certain time span. Some plain sodalities were grouped into these-had specific dances, songs and privileges. Members buy their way to the next level.
Office
Permanent political position. Must be refilled when vacated by death or retirement.
Differential access
Favoured access to resources by superordinates over subordinates. The status systems of Chiefdoms and States were similar in that they shared this. Certain people had access to resources and wealth, while others did not.
Superordinate
Upper, privileged, group in a stratified society.
Subordinate
Lower, underprivileged, group in a stratified society.
Max Webber's three dimensions of stratification
1.Wealth---->economic status
2. Power----->political status
3. Prestige---->social status
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