Midterm Week 7 - What are Political Organizations?

Political Organization

Defined as groups responsible for political and social cohesiveness, economic growth, and safety from internal and external threats.

Power

Defined as the exercise of will or force in order to
achieve the desired outcome.

Authority

Pertains to the ability to bring about results through one's status, reputation, and degree of respect received from its constituents.

Legitimacy

Refers to the right and acceptance of one's
power and authority without the threat or exercise of force.

Bands

A small group of mostly nomadic people in
pursuit of a particular goal - to ensure their
survival and subsistence through foraging and at
times hunting.

• The leader does not hold formal power over the band, but mostly coordinates the movement, such as the hunting and foraging activities of the group

Tribes

A political group composed of several bands, occupying a particular territory, with each
having a common language and way of living. The groups may be connected through a perceived
common ancestor or lineage.

• The leader is selected based on the numbers and strength of his following.

Chiefdoms

Composed of allied tribes and villages
under one chief, which can reach up to thousands of members.

Chief

Considered to be an "office" or an "institution" rather than just someone who leads the economic activities of the group.

State

A political organization which, through the government, exercises sovereign rule over a
population within a defined territory.

• Its internal duties have evolved from merely ensuring public order and social stability to include delivering public services to its constituents.

• Its external duties involve ensuring national security and engaging with other states by means of treaties, membership in international groups with other states, and joint military exercises, among others.

Elman Rogers Service

Cultural anthropologist posited in 1962 that societies undergo various stages of social evolution.