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?