Anthropology 330Anthropology 330

Political Systems

What is a Political System?What is a Political System?DEFINITION The rules and standards for obtaining DEFINITION The rules and standards for obtaining social control and delegating authority in a society.social control and delegating authority in a society.

KEY COMPONENTSKEY COMPONENTSA political system is one portion of the set of cultural A political system is one portion of the set of cultural rules/standards/patterns that a society uses. rules/standards/patterns that a society uses. A political system addresses ways to get people to A political system addresses ways to get people to conform to cultural rules. conform to cultural rules. A political system tells the society how it will A political system tells the society how it will delegate authority for individuals to make decisions or delegate authority for individuals to make decisions or take actions on behalf of the group.take actions on behalf of the group.

What is Social Control?What is Social Control?

DEFINITION Social control means getting people to DEFINITION Social control means getting people to conform to cultural rules and norms within a conform to cultural rules and norms within a society. society.

KEY COMPONENTS KEY COMPONENTS Social control mechanisms can be Social control mechanisms can be conscious or conscious or

unconscious.unconscious. Social control mechanisms can be Social control mechanisms can be formal or formal or

informal.informal. Social control can be Social control can be enculturated or enforced.enculturated or enforced.

What is Internal Social Control?What is Internal Social Control?

DEFINITION The mechanisms that cause individuals to monitor DEFINITION The mechanisms that cause individuals to monitor and police themselves to follow the cultural rules and and police themselves to follow the cultural rules and standards. These are believed to be universal.standards. These are believed to be universal.

TYPES OF INTERNAL SOCIAL CONTROLTYPES OF INTERNAL SOCIAL CONTROL GUILT is the feeling a person has when they believe they have GUILT is the feeling a person has when they believe they have

done something wrong, whether or not anyone else knows done something wrong, whether or not anyone else knows about it. about it.

SHAME is the feeling a person has when something they have SHAME is the feeling a person has when something they have done wrong is known to others done wrong is known to others

The difference between guilt and shame is that one is a The difference between guilt and shame is that one is a psychological reaction, and the other is a social reaction.psychological reaction, and the other is a social reaction.

What is External Social Control?What is External Social Control?

DEFINITION The imposition of rules and standards DEFINITION The imposition of rules and standards from outside the individual. These are called from outside the individual. These are called sanctions.sanctions.

TYPES OF EXTERNAL SOCIAL CONTROLTYPES OF EXTERNAL SOCIAL CONTROL POSITIVE SANCTIONS are rewards for doing things POSITIVE SANCTIONS are rewards for doing things

according to the cultural rules, and particularly for according to the cultural rules, and particularly for doing them well. doing them well.

NEGATIVE SANCTIONS are punishments or NEGATIVE SANCTIONS are punishments or penalties for breaking the cultural rules. Penalties penalties for breaking the cultural rules. Penalties are sanctions like fines. Punishments involve are sanctions like fines. Punishments involve incarceration or physical mistreatment.incarceration or physical mistreatment.

Examples of External Social ControlsExamples of External Social Controls Song duelSong duel

• A means of settling disputes over wife stealing among the Inuit involving A means of settling disputes over wife stealing among the Inuit involving the use of song and lyrics to determine one’s guilt or innocence.the use of song and lyrics to determine one’s guilt or innocence.

IntermediariesIntermediaries• Mediators of disputes among individuals or families within a society.Mediators of disputes among individuals or families within a society.

MootsMoots• Informal hearings of disputes for the purpose of resolving conflicts, usually Informal hearings of disputes for the purpose of resolving conflicts, usually

found in small scale societies. found in small scale societies. Council of eldersCouncil of elders

• A formal control mechanism composed of a group of elders who settle A formal control mechanism composed of a group of elders who settle disputes among individuals within a community.disputes among individuals within a community.

OathOath• The practice of having God bear witness to the truth of what a person says.The practice of having God bear witness to the truth of what a person says.

OrdealOrdeal• A painful and possibly life-threatening test inflicted on someone suspected A painful and possibly life-threatening test inflicted on someone suspected

of wrongdoing.of wrongdoing. LawLaw

• A cultural rule that is enforced through coercive authorityA cultural rule that is enforced through coercive authority

What is Power?What is Power?

DEFINITION: DEFINITION: Power is the ability to get others to do Power is the ability to get others to do what you want them to do. what you want them to do.

There are two types of power: There are two types of power: 1. persuasive power 2. coercive power 1. persuasive power 2. coercive power

KEY COMPONENTS KEY COMPONENTS Anyone can have power. Anyone can have power. Power can come from many sources including Power can come from many sources including

personality, money, respect, social influence and personality, money, respect, social influence and force. force.

One does not need the permission of others to use One does not need the permission of others to use power.power.

What is Authority?What is Authority?

DEFINITION: Authority is the right given by society DEFINITION: Authority is the right given by society to exercise power on others.to exercise power on others.

KEY COMPONENTSKEY COMPONENTS Authority is the use of power under special Authority is the use of power under special

circumstances circumstances Authority is delegated to certain individuals by Authority is delegated to certain individuals by

society society Authority usually specifies what kind and under what Authority usually specifies what kind and under what

circumstances an individual may exercise power.circumstances an individual may exercise power.

What Kinds of Authority Are There?What Kinds of Authority Are There?

Consensus Consensus Situational Leadership Situational Leadership Mediate/Negotiate Mediate/Negotiate Decide and Enforce Decide and Enforce

The first three authority types give the leader the The first three authority types give the leader the right to use persuasive power. Only the last right to use persuasive power. Only the last authority allows the leader to enforce with authority allows the leader to enforce with negative sanctions.negative sanctions.

What Is Consensus?What Is Consensus?

Consensus is when a group comes to a Consensus is when a group comes to a decision without the use of a leader. Each decision without the use of a leader. Each individual reaches his/her own conclusion, and individual reaches his/her own conclusion, and the group only acts when these conclusions are the group only acts when these conclusions are very similar. Consensus is usually found in very similar. Consensus is usually found in small groups, the members of which know small groups, the members of which know each other well.each other well.

What Is Situational Leadership?What Is Situational Leadership?

Situational leadership occurs when Situational leadership occurs when people turn to different individuals to people turn to different individuals to lead depending on the problem at hand. lead depending on the problem at hand. Again, situational leadership is usually Again, situational leadership is usually found in small groups, the members of found in small groups, the members of which know each other well.which know each other well.

What Is Mediation/Negotiation What Is Mediation/Negotiation Leadership?Leadership?

Mediation/Negotiation leadership Mediation/Negotiation leadership means that a leader has the authority means that a leader has the authority to make decisions and resolve conflict to make decisions and resolve conflict using persuasive power. In this case, using persuasive power. In this case, there is a designated leader who leads there is a designated leader who leads in all situations.in all situations.

What Is Decide and Enforce What Is Decide and Enforce Leadership?Leadership?

This is the only form of leadership in which This is the only form of leadership in which the leader can force people to abide by the leader can force people to abide by his/her decisions and/or to follow the his/her decisions and/or to follow the cultural rules. This type of leader has been cultural rules. This type of leader has been given the right to use formal negative given the right to use formal negative sanctions that punish or penalize.sanctions that punish or penalize.

When leaders can enforce cultural When leaders can enforce cultural rules we call them rules we call them lawslaws

How Do Leaders Acquire Authority?How Do Leaders Acquire Authority?

There are five general ways that leaders can acquire There are five general ways that leaders can acquire authority: authority:

• No Leader No Leader • Personal Qualifications Personal Qualifications • Membership in a high ranking Lineage Membership in a high ranking Lineage • Hereditary succession Hereditary succession • ForceForce

When Does a Society Have No When Does a Society Have No Leader?Leader?

In very small groups made up of In very small groups made up of mostly family members, a formal mostly family members, a formal leadership position is not needed. leadership position is not needed. People make decisions and enforce People make decisions and enforce rules using consensus. rules using consensus.

What Is Leadership by Personal What Is Leadership by Personal Qualifications?Qualifications?

Leadership by personal qualifications occurs in Leadership by personal qualifications occurs in societies that use situational, mediation/negotiation societies that use situational, mediation/negotiation and decide and enforce authority. In societies where and decide and enforce authority. In societies where everyone knows everyone else, it is relatively easy to everyone knows everyone else, it is relatively easy to choose a person who is respected and admired for choose a person who is respected and admired for personal and social skills that fit the values of the personal and social skills that fit the values of the society. In large scale societies like ours, we use society. In large scale societies like ours, we use elections to vote for leaders based on personal elections to vote for leaders based on personal qualification. qualification.

A leader of this type is called a A leader of this type is called a ““Headman” or “Bigman” Headman” or “Bigman” Or, if elected, by a variety of terms like President, Or, if elected, by a variety of terms like President,

Prime Minister, Senator, etc.Prime Minister, Senator, etc.

What Is Leadership by Membership in What Is Leadership by Membership in a High Ranking Lineage?a High Ranking Lineage?

Some societies are what we call ranked. This means that they Some societies are what we call ranked. This means that they do not have complex social stratification, but they do have two do not have complex social stratification, but they do have two or three different statuses depending on family/lineage or three different statuses depending on family/lineage membership. People choose leaders from among the members membership. People choose leaders from among the members of one of the high ranking families/lineages. Membership in of one of the high ranking families/lineages. Membership in such a family is a prerequisite for leadership. Personal such a family is a prerequisite for leadership. Personal qualifications determine which of the high ranking individuals qualifications determine which of the high ranking individuals will be leader. The person who is leader may change if he/she will be leader. The person who is leader may change if he/she is not doing a good job, but the leader will always be high is not doing a good job, but the leader will always be high ranking. ranking.

This kind of leader is called a ChiefThis kind of leader is called a Chief

What Is Leadership by Hereditary What Is Leadership by Hereditary Succession?Succession?

In some societies, leadership does not depend on In some societies, leadership does not depend on personal qualifications at all. The leadership position personal qualifications at all. The leadership position is passed through a single family according to a set of is passed through a single family according to a set of inheritance rules. Leaders can be babies, insane, inheritance rules. Leaders can be babies, insane, incompetent or evil. They still inherit the leadership incompetent or evil. They still inherit the leadership position. This type of leadership usually goes along position. This type of leadership usually goes along with a belief that the “royal” family is related to with a belief that the “royal” family is related to god(s) or are, themselves, god(s). god(s) or are, themselves, god(s).

This kind of leader is called a King or QueenThis kind of leader is called a King or Queen

What Is Leadership by Force?What Is Leadership by Force?

This kind of leadership occurs after a This kind of leadership occurs after a conquest, colonization or revolution, conquest, colonization or revolution, where the leadership is taken and where the leadership is taken and maintained by force.maintained by force.

Levels of Sociocultural IntegrationLevels of Sociocultural Integration

Anthropologists divide societies into five Anthropologists divide societies into five different levels of sociocultural integration different levels of sociocultural integration based on political characteristics. based on political characteristics.

These are: These are:

Bands Bands

Tribes Tribes

Chiefdoms Chiefdoms

States States

EmpiresEmpires

What Is a Band?What Is a Band?

A Band usually has the following characteristics:A Band usually has the following characteristics:

• Consensus or situational leadership authority Consensus or situational leadership authority • Persuasive power is delegated Persuasive power is delegated • Small group (30 individuals) Small group (30 individuals) • Frequently mobile (nomadic or semi-nomadic) Frequently mobile (nomadic or semi-nomadic) • Hunting and Gathering/Foraging Subsistence Hunting and Gathering/Foraging Subsistence • Use reciprocity as primary distribution systemUse reciprocity as primary distribution system• No surplus is producedNo surplus is produced

What Is a Tribe?What Is a Tribe?Tribes usually have the following characteristics: Tribes usually have the following characteristics: • Mediation/Negotiation Leadership Mediation/Negotiation Leadership (Persuasive (Persuasive

power through a Headman) power through a Headman) • Leadership by Personal Qualifications Leadership by Personal Qualifications • Population in the 100’s Population in the 100’s • May be mobile or sedentary May be mobile or sedentary • Pastoralist, Horticulturalist or Hunting and Pastoralist, Horticulturalist or Hunting and

Gathering/Foraging Subsistence Gathering/Foraging Subsistence • Use reciprocity as primary distribution systemUse reciprocity as primary distribution system• No surplus is producedNo surplus is produced

What Is a Chiefdom?What Is a Chiefdom?

A Chiefdom usually has the following characteristics: A Chiefdom usually has the following characteristics:

• Decide and Enforce (leader called Chief)Decide and Enforce (leader called Chief)

• Ranked society Ranked society

• Leadership selected from members of a high ranking Leadership selected from members of a high ranking lineage lineage

• Population in the 1000’s Population in the 1000’s

• May be mobile or sedentary May be mobile or sedentary

• Pastoralist or Horticulturalist Subsistence Pastoralist or Horticulturalist Subsistence

• Use redistribution as primary distribution Use redistribution as primary distribution system system

• Some surplus is produced, but all surplus is in the same Some surplus is produced, but all surplus is in the same product or products)product or products)

What Is a State?What Is a State?

A State usually has the following characteristics: A State usually has the following characteristics: • Authority to decide and enforce (coercive power) Authority to decide and enforce (coercive power) • Leadership selected by personal qualification election, Leadership selected by personal qualification election,

hereditary succession or force. hereditary succession or force. • Population in the 10,000’s , Sedentary (cities) Population in the 10,000’s , Sedentary (cities) • Agricultural Subsistence Agricultural Subsistence • Use market system as primary distribution system Use market system as primary distribution system • Large surplus is produced in a wide variety of Large surplus is produced in a wide variety of

products)products)• Full-time economic specialization including political Full-time economic specialization including political

and militaryand military• Monoply of forceMonoply of force• Control of society through ideologyControl of society through ideology

The Modern Nation-StateThe Modern Nation-State A A nationnation is a group of people who share a is a group of people who share a

common symbolic identity, culture, history, common symbolic identity, culture, history, and often, religion. and often, religion.

A A statestate is a particular type of political structure is a particular type of political structure distinct from a band, tribal society, or distinct from a band, tribal society, or chiefdom.chiefdom.

The term The term nation-statenation-state refers to a group of refers to a group of people sharing a common cultural background people sharing a common cultural background and unified by a political structure that they all and unified by a political structure that they all consider legitimate.consider legitimate.

What Is an Empire?What Is an Empire?

An Empire is a state that has An Empire is a state that has conquered and rules by force conquered and rules by force one or more other societies.one or more other societies.

Study GuideStudy GuidePolitical systemPolitical system AuthorityAuthorityInternal social controlInternal social control ConsensusConsensusGuiltGuilt Mediation/suggestionMediation/suggestionShameShame Decide and EnforceDecide and EnforceExternal social controlExternal social control Personal QualificationsPersonal QualificationsSong duelsSong duels High ranking lineageHigh ranking lineageIntermediariesIntermediaries Hereditary successionHereditary successionMootsMoots ForceForceCouncil of eldersCouncil of elders BandBandOathsOaths TribeTribeOrdealOrdeal ChiefdomChiefdom

LawLaw StateStatePowerPower Nation stateNation statePersuasive powerPersuasive power EmpireEmpireCoercive powerCoercive power