Seventh Week/Seventh Module: Political Anthropology
NOTES FOR CLASS ON POLITICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
The importance of the scale of society: are we talking about small scale societies? Or large scale ones?
Please, consider that there is an enormous diversity of societies in the world and so of political systems (or systems of social integration). If you think that those systems of social integration such assegmentary lineageare extinct, think twice and carefully read your textbook.
It is important to keep in mind the definitions so we know what we are talking about. Example: state, bands, tribes, lineages, persuasion, ideology, etc.
Perhaps the most important concept to guide this chapter isPOWER. Those of you who like reading, might want to read about the Italian thinkerAntonio Gramsci’s concept of HEGEMONY.
HEGEMONY: THE ABILITY OF A DOMINANT GROUP TO CREATECONSENTAND AGREEMENT WITHIN A POPULATION WITHOUTH THE USE OF THREAT OR FORCE.
A summary of definitions (from the textbook):
POWER: The ability to induce behavior of others in specified ways by means of coercion or the use or threat of physical force.
AUTHORITY: Ability of induce behavior in others by persuasion.
COERCION: Act of forcing others to do something that they don’t want to under the threat of use of force.
PERSUASION: The process of making somebody to do or to believe something without the use of force.
LEGITIMACY: Is the perception that an individual has a valid right to leadership.
DOMINANCE: The exercise of power and influence over others.
REINFORCEMENT: Consequences for compliance with the directive and laws of a society. They can be (A) Positive or rewards: medals, financial incentives, public recognition. (B) Negative: punishments, fines, imprisonment, death sentences. CARROTS OR STICKS.
Systems/Strategies used in tribes and chiefdoms to achieve social integration:
By occupation (gender division of labor); for example:https://www.iied.org/steering-gender-centre-blue-economy
-Sodalities
-Age sets and age grades/gender; gift giving, marriages.
Integration Through “Segmentary” Lineage:
Integration through Bachelor Associations and Men’s Houses
TO REFLECT:
What are the benefits and problems associated withstate-level political organizations?
Leadership: who is a good leader? Think about Health Issues like the management of COVID 19 by two different presidents, for example.
Discussion Questions on “Political Anthropology. Please, reflect on the following
1. In large communities, it can be difficult for people to feel a sense of connection or loyalty to people outside their immediate families. Choose one of the social-integration techniques used in tribes and chiefdoms and explain why it can successfully encourage solidarity between people. Can you identify similar systems for encouraging social integration in your own community?
2.Although state societies are efficient in organizing people and resources, they also are associated with many disadvantages, such as extreme disparities in wealth, use of force to keep people in line and harsh laws. Given these difficulties, why do you think the state has survived? Do you think human populations can develop alternative political organizations in the future?