Political Organization

Four Types of Political Structures Band societies Tribal societies Chiefdoms State societies

Band Societies Least complex form of political

arrangement. Characterized by small, nomadic

populations of food collectors. Most bands number between 30 and 50

people.

Band Societies Little concept of individual property

ownership with a high value on sharing, cooperation, and reciprocity.

Little role specialization and highly egalitarian.

Thought to be the oldest form of political organization.

Characteristics of Band Societies There is a high value placed on “getting along”

with one another. Bands are independent of one another and are

not part of a larger political structure. Political decisions are often embedded in the

wider social structure. Leadership roles in band societies tend to be

informal.

Tribal Societies Found most often among food producers. Tend to have populations that are larger,

denser, and somewhat more sedentary. Leadership is informal and not vested in a

centralized authority.

Chiefdoms Political authority is likely to reside with a single

individual, acting alone or in conjunction with an advisory council.

Integrate a number of local communities in a formal and permanent way.

Made up of local communities that differ from one another in terms of rank and status.

Chiefships are hereditary, and the chief and immediate kin are a social and political elite.

State Systems Most formal and complex form of

political organization. Authority of the state rests on two

important foundations.1. The state holds exclusive right to use

force and physical coercion.2. The state maintains authority by

means of ideology.

Quick Quiz

1. The least complex form of political arrangement is the ________, characterized by small groups of food collectors.

a) chiefdom

b) band

c) tribe

d) state

Answer: b The least complex form of political

arrangement is the band, characterized by small groups of food collectors.

2. In societies known as ________, political authority is likely to reside with a single individual, acting alone or with an advisory council.

a) bands

b) states

c) chiefdoms

d) tribes

Answer: c In societies known as chiefdoms,

political authority is likely to reside with a single individual, acting alone or with an advisory council.

3. The ________ system of government is the most formal and most complex form of political organization.

a) band

b) tribe

c) state

d) chiefdom

Answer: c The state system of government is the

most formal and most complex form of political organization.