Political Systems Name
___________________
Politics is defined as competition for power over people and
things. Small-scale societies have
unexpected and unfamiliar forms of political systems.
What kinds of roles and offices are
expected of individuals in politics?
- Make decisions concerning the group as a whole
- Lead community discussions and act as spokesmen with outsiders
- Control others by persuasion or by controlling the means of violence with police or law.
- Define goals of society and public policy
- Allow control of and access to resources
- Many are expected to bankrupt themselves for the benefit of society, thereby increasing status, influence and power. (Ex. “Big Men” of New Guinea)
- In the western world, examples are the President, prime ministers, governors and legislators. In these cases, the offices of power always exist, they are held by different individuals over time and remain even after individuals have left. Large bureaucracies have many offices and a chain of command. Ex. In small societies, the hunt leader is only the leader as long as the hunt lasts.
How are political positions
obtained?
- Inheritance through kinship ties
- Elections
- Personal achievement
- Appointment from a higher authority
- Coercion, bribes, promises of future rewards
- Seized illegally and or brutally
What strategy is used by leaders of
political parties to unite followers? (Political parties are made up of like minded individuals)
Symbols –
Rallying cry, slogan, hated race, national flag
Hoover – A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage
Obama – Yes We Can and “Hope” poster by Shepard Fairey
Leadership can be classified into
Bands
Tribes
Chiefdoms
States
Based on increasing complexity of leadership roles
Bands
Self-sufficient pedestrian foragers (hunter-gatherers)
No more than 12-24 members
There is no conclusive leadership position
Leaders are chosen by skill or age
Decisions arrived at by consensus
Conflicts are resolved by moving away
Women have more power, because they provide most of the food
calories consumed.
Ex. Native
Americans did not make the kind of binding legal agreements with settlers
because not all members of the band agreed and those who did not agree, did not
have to abide with the rules of the treaty.
Tribes
Groups number in the 100’s.
Kinship ties and friendship alone are not sufficient ties to
bind members together.
Representatives from bands or families will meet as a group
(or live together) to make decisions for the group as a whole.
Ex. Big Man, Kwakiutl men
Like bands, tribal societies are egalitarian and no one is
politically or economically superior.
All families are alike and self sufficient… just larger groups.
Conflicts are resolved by discussion or rivalries, raiding,
etc.
Chiefdoms
Populations more than 1000.
Mostly classless societies.
Have a permanent full time leader with real authority to
make major decisions for society
Sometimes an advisory council exists, but there is no
bureaucracy.
Seniority in kin groups is basis for status and records of
descent are kept.
Chiefs and families have a higher standard of living.
Food and wealth are redistributed, but some is held back for
the chief and family
Larger populations – Less in common – need chief to be
arbitrator/judge
Chiefdoms are more effective in warfare
1. Larger
population – larger military
2. Chief
provides centralized direction and decisive action.
States
Populations more than 10,000
Large scale intensive agriculture
Authoritarian kingdoms
Socially stratified into classes based on wealth, power, and
prestige
5500 YA à Egypt, Mesopotamia (Iraq),
India, China
4500 YA à Mayas, Aztecs, Andes (Incas)
Always similar politically (Ruling elite – Craftsmen,
traders, bureaucrats – farmers, commoners) in a triangle.
Centralized authority and large armies allowed large scale
warfare to swallow weaker cities and huge empires developed with millions of
people.
God kings not uncommon with absolute authority and commoners
had no influence.
Slavery exists and was common.
People gave up Bands as agriculture became necessary.
Nation states are marked by social, political, and economic
inequality. Social mobility is now
easier, but the pyramid always seems to exist. Far larger permanent bureaucracies.
Homework
Define
Band
Tribe
Chiefdom
State
Bureaucracy
Consensus
Bureaucracy
Authoritarian
Political Symbols
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