Kinship and Political Organization

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to kinship, family structure, and political organization as discussed in the lecture notes.

Kinship

A social institution that refers to relations formed between members of society.

Consanguineal Kinship

Kinship based on blood relationships, considered the most basic form of relations.

Descent

A biological relationship typically recognized by societies where children descend from their parents.

Lineage

The line through which one’s descent is traced, either through the paternal or maternal line.

Patrilineal Descent

A form of descent where both males and females belong to their father's kin group.

Matrilineal Descent

A form of unilineal descent that is traced through the female line.

Bilateral Descent

A form of descent that traces both ancestral lines of the mother and the father.

Affinal Kinship

Kinship relations developed through marriage.

Endogamy

Compulsory marriage within a specific group, often practiced by ethnic or religious groups.

Exogamy

A marriage practice requiring individuals to marry outside their social group.

Monogamy

A marriage or sexual partnering practice where a person has only one partner.

Polygamy

The practice of having more than one partner or sexual mate.

Polygyny

A form of polygamy where a man has multiple female partners.

Polyandry

A form of polygamy where a woman has multiple male partners.

Patrilocal Residence

Residence pattern where married couples live with the husband's relatives.

Matrilocal Residence

Residence pattern where married couples live with the wife's relatives.

Familial Structure

The basic unit of social organization consisting of individuals linked by marriage, blood relations, and adoption.

Nuclear Family

A family unit consisting of two adults and their socially recognized children.

Extended Family

A family unit that includes additional relatives beyond the nuclear family.

Reconstituted Family

A family formed by merging two families that include children from previous relationships.

Transnational Families

Families whose members maintain strong connections across national borders despite geographic separation.

Band

A political system formed by several families living together, often based on kinship ties.

Tribe

An acephalous political system organized through councils or tribal elders.

Chiefdom

A political system with formal leadership resting on a select family.

Legitimacy

A moral and ethical concept that justifies the exercise of power.

Traditional Authority

Authority derived from established customs and social structures.

Charismatic Authority

Authority that comes from the charisma and extraordinary qualities of the leader.

Rational-legal Authority

Authority derived from formal rules enacted by the state.

Bureaucracy

A system of government or management with strict rules and hierarchies.