Chapter 17

what is politics in socio-cultural anthropology

politics refers to different actions and reactions related to power

politics is about power (how it’s used, negotiated, abused, etc.)

what is power

ability to compel someone to do something they would not do otherwise

not distributed equally

what are power relations

individual level (between people) or groups

one group/ individua making the other do something that they would not do themselves

use/ misuse of power between other groups (inequal)

how are power used

coercively

persuasively

Most societies are NOT egalitarian

how is power used coercively

using physical or another type of force

threat of PUNISHMENT

how is power used persuasively

changing someone’s behavior through arguements using religion/ beliefs

REWARD if obeyed

less violent but sneaky

what are the two main types of political systems

1. Make decisions collectievly (smaller egalitarian)

2. Concentrate power into hands of few

explain how small groups in political systems work

often come to decisions collectively

order is maintained through informal means

CANNOT work in large/ complex societies

explain how large groups in political systems work

power and control are centralized

power and control is formal (form of a gov’t)

what is Elman Service

most popular classification of political systems

believes that political systems are:

uncentralized: bands and tribes

centralized: chiefdoms and states

they are ideal types (can be different term or more complex)

what are bands?

hunting and gathering groups

50-100 people

temporary structures

how does power work in Bands

decisions are made collectively (Egalitarian)

NO centralized gov’t/ authority

Leaders are temporary and informal (chosen based on personal qualities)

power is also temporary and informal

ex. Inuit

what are tribes

Horticulturalist or Pastoralists

lives in villages over a bigger area

villages are tied through kinship ties, language and common ancestor

ties are for when alliance/ help solving larger issues (ex. fight, drought, food scarcity, etc.)

neutral word

how does power work in Tribes

no centralized gov’t

there are rulers who are more official called BIG MEN

they resolve dispute through mediation or unofficial courts

ex. Maasai, tanzania

what are chiefdoms

centralized societies

more populations than band/ tribe

extensive agriculture but hunting also exist

how does power work in Chiefdom

official gov’t and authority (official bureaucracy that manages power)

CHIEF = leader usually male and hereditary

ranked societies

ex. Haudenosaunee/ Samoan

what are ranked societies

in Chiefdoms

FAMILY line dictates prestige and status (but prestige/ status can be earned through actions as well)

equal access to RESOURCES but NOT social power

what are states

intensive agriculture

defined as industrial (product of historic circumstances)

MANY people so need centralized gov’t

how does power work in States

stratified society (unequal social power and resource)

official authority/ laws

codified set of punishments and official court system

ex. Modern states but also ancient Egypt, China, Inca, etc.

what is social stratification

unequal access to resources

Not characteristics for all groups

high/ low ranking inequalities

social mobility

what are the 2 types of social stratification

class

caste

what is social mobility

ability to move upward/ downward in the system

move in a stratified society

what is Class

social stratification

based on difference on wealth and status

ACHIEVED status

ex. American Dream

what is Caste

social stratification

power distribution based on birth

ASCRIBED (fixed at birth)

what is economy

who gets what and how

not limited to Western

capitalist systems

what are the 3 phases of economy activity

production

dsitribution

consumption

what is capitalism

recent cultural invention

consistent with culture valies, institutions, and assumptions in human nature

But other socities have a different way to distribute material goods

explain how production works in economic activity

transformation of raw materials into products using natural/ human resources

Guided by resources available but also cultural factors

has gender specialization (certain tasks between gender)

ex. man the hunter and woman the gatherer (first division of labor)

explain how distribution works in economic activity

how things get to people

simpler in smaller communities; complex in bigger societies

modes of exchange are important for distribution

what is modes of exchange

made by Marshal Sahlins

3 patterns:

reciprocity

redistribution

market exchange

what is reciprocity

pattern in modes of exchange

exchange of goods and services of equal value

what is redistribution

patterns in modes of exchange

the Center (gov’t/ authority) recieves economic contributions from all members of the group and then redistributes them to provide for every group member

what is market exchange

pattern in modes of exchange

involves trade (exchange of goods), money, (medium of exchange that has value to goods), and market (supply demand price)

what is the difference between Gifts vs. Money

Marcel Mauss says that:

Capitalists commodity exchanges and has no further contact after

non- capitalists gift exchange are embedded in social relations and always need a return gift

what was Marcel Mauss’s concept

The Gift

various forms of gift giving around the world

gift exchange: creates social bonds (and obligations)

important for functioning of societies (becomes allies and help when in need)

expectation is gift → alliance/ bond

what are Potlach

Indigenous People in Pacific NW

redistributive gift giving practice

reaffirms social status and builds social bonds

usually with major life events (Bday, Wedding, etc.)

what is consumption

third economic activity

varies greatly between societies

commodity

powerful people have more commodity to consume

what are commodity

Item that is consumed by someone who is not the producer