““the Political”the Political”

Bands, Tribes, Chiefdoms Bands, Tribes, Chiefdoms and and StatesStates

Itsallaboutculture.comItsallaboutculture.com

Professor Alana L. Jolley

Political OrganizationsPolitical Organizations

Uncentralized, egalitarian systems:Uncentralized, egalitarian systems:– BandsBands– TribesTribes

Centralized and formal systems:Centralized and formal systems:– ChiefdomsChiefdoms– StatesStates

BandsBands

Small groups of people: dozen or moreSmall groups of people: dozen or more

Egalitarian Egalitarian

Kin-related, households.Kin-related, households.

Least complicated Least complicated

Nomadic societies.Nomadic societies.

BandsBands

No formal political systemsNo formal political systems

Decisions made by consensus of adult Decisions made by consensus of adult membersmembers

Those who can’t fit in may move to Those who can’t fit in may move to another group if there are kinship tiesanother group if there are kinship ties

Internalized ControlsInternalized Controls

Bands & tribes rely heavily on internalized Bands & tribes rely heavily on internalized controlscontrols

Control is self-imposed by individualsControl is self-imposed by individuals

Deterrents for order: shame, fear of divine Deterrents for order: shame, fear of divine punishment, magical retaliation.punishment, magical retaliation.

Externalized ControlsExternalized Controls

Mixed cultural and social controls.Mixed cultural and social controls.

Positive actions rewards Positive actions rewards behavior.behavior.

Negative actions punish behavior.Negative actions punish behavior.

TribesTribes

Small communities: hundreds or moreSmall communities: hundreds or more

Alliances between villages-many purposesAlliances between villages-many purposes

Economy : crop cultivation, or herdingEconomy : crop cultivation, or herding

Leadership: may have “Big Man”Leadership: may have “Big Man”

The Big ManThe Big Man

This This Big ManBig Man from from New Guinea is New Guinea is wearing his official wearing his official regalia.regalia.

Formal Sanctions

• Formal sanctions may involve regulated combat. Armed dancers in New Guinea tribe demand redress for murder.

Tribal Example in U.S.

• Navajo Tribal Council:• Non-traditional

governing body, required by the U.S. government in order for the Navajo to exercise national sovereignty.

ChiefdomsChiefdoms

Many people, many villagesMany people, many villages

Chief inherits position – for lifeChief inherits position – for life

ChiefChief’’s unites people s unites people

Unstable systemUnstable system--lesser chiefs can take power lesser chiefs can take power by coercion or even by killingby coercion or even by killing

Chiefdom Example: Africa

• A Kpelle chief in West Africa, listens to a dispute in his district.

• Settling disputes is one of the traditional tasks that fall to chiefs among Kpelle people.

StateState

Tens of 1,000’s to millions of peopleTens of 1,000’s to millions of people

Most complex political organizationMost complex political organization

Centralized government, highly bureaucraticCentralized government, highly bureaucratic

States may use force: police, military, laws, States may use force: police, military, laws, judiciary to keep orderjudiciary to keep order

Functions of LawFunctions of Law

Defines relationships among societyDefines relationships among society’’s members s members under various circumstancesunder various circumstances

Allocates authority to employ coercion to enforce Allocates authority to employ coercion to enforce correct behaviorscorrect behaviors

Redefines social relations, and aids in efficient Redefines social relations, and aids in efficient operation by allowing change.operation by allowing change.

A Nation without a State

• The Kurds:

• Most live in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey.

• An example of a nation without a state.