POLITICAL ORGANIZATION Social Order and Disorder
Dec 12, 2015
POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONSocial Order and Disorder
What is the purpose of government? Turn to a person sitting near you and
discuss. Why do we need a government in this country? Better yet, do we need a government to function as a society?
Types of Political Organization Band societies
Lack of a centralized authority Nearly all societies before the
development of agriculture (ca. 10,000 years ago) were structured in this way
Usually small: less than 100 people○ Varies by season. When more food
is available, bands come to together Political decision making? Usually
informal○ Inuit bands – there is a headman
who is usually the best hunter or the most versed in rituals
Types of Political Organization Tribal Organizations
Kinship groups that act autonomously, but can potentially integrate into a larger unit○ Anthropological term: multilocal
integrationNot permanent, still informal in
nature○ Usually called into play when
outside threat appearsEgalitarian (like band societies)Seen in many African societies,
as well as New Guinea
Types of Political Organization Chiefdom Organizations
Formal organization – usually a council or a chief○ Social hierarchy (not egalitarian) w/ chief’s
family at the top of the chain○ Can redistribute goods and public labor on
his behalf or others Contrast to Tribal leaders who usually
attain their status by personal qualities, chiefs are said to have it in their “blood.”○ Polynesia: chiefs inherit special religious
power called mana Chiefs do not have the power to force
people to do things○ People follow their will because they are
respected, and/or control substantial amounts of goods and services which go towards helping the society
Types of Political Organization State Organization
“Autonomous political unit encompassing many communities within its territory and having a centralized government with the power to collect taxes, draft men for work or war, and decree and enforce laws.”
Complex, centralized political structure
Central idea: concept of legitimate force used to implement policies○ States have a monopoly on police,
militia, or a standing army
Types of Political Organization State Organization
Can a society be comprised of more than one state?○ Yes! Ancient Greek city-states, Italian
city-states, Germany and Austria today Can a state include more than one
society?○ Yes! British ruling over…well everyone
basically, Cantons in Switzerland, Present-day Nigeria
Other important factors○ Usually intensive agriculture, high
degree of economic specialization and market economies
○ Class stratification (not egalitarian)
Types of Political Organization
State OrganizationRadically alters people’s access to
resources, ability to make their own decisions. So….
Why accept a state society as legitimate?○ People must believe those in power
have a legitimate right to○ Theories on why societies accept
state government Ancient rulers claimed “divine right” – but
this is rare now Parental teachings to follow authority No good reason (people in a society are
fooled) States must provide real and rational
advantages
Variation in Political Organization Why do different types of political organization
exist?Size of the society is a huge factor (pun intended)
○ The larger the population, the greater number and types of political officials that exist
Cross-cultural survey: The more intensive the agriculture, the greater the likelihood of state organization
Here’s the amazing thing: state societies emerged independently in southern Iraq, Egypt, northwest India, and Mexico around 3500 B.C.○ They were all relatively large societies, but explanation by
size and agricultural dependence is too simplistic
Spread of the State System
States have waged war against band, tribal, and chiefdom societies – states almost always win British and American colonialism
Rapid, world-wide change In 1000 B.C., anywhere from 100,000
to 1 million separate political units existed in the world
Today: Fewer than 200 Two trends:
Nation-state (think Yugoslavia breaking apart, civil war in Sudan)
Political integration (think European Union, NAFTA)
Benefits?Disadvantages?
vs.
Benefits?Disadvantages?
Are we moving towards larger political units, or smaller political units?
Is the nation-state still a viable political organization model?
What is the purpose of government?