Lecture on Social Control and Political Anthropology
Key Concepts in Political Anthropology
Political Anthropology: Not merely the study of government. Instead, it examines:
The use of social power in societies.
How power is utilized, manipulated, and controlled.
Fundamental questions about cooperation and social order amongst individuals.
Fundamental Questions Addressed
How do self-interested individuals compromise for social harmony?
What mechanisms maintain social order and resolve conflicts amongst individuals?
Importance of understanding cooperation before delving into structures of political organization.
Main Dispute Resolution Processes
Anthropologists identify three processes:
Negotiation: The direct use of argument and compromise to arrive at a settlement.
Mediation: Involves an unbiased third party assisting the negotiation process.
Adjudication: An unbiased third party makes a binding decision on the outcome.
Specific Definitions to Note
Negotiation: The direct use of argument and compromise to arrive at a settlement.
Mediation: A process involving a neutral party assisting with negotiation.
Adjudication: Where a neutral party has the authority to impose a resolution.
Importance of Examples
While viewing, students should take note of both definitions and ethnographic examples as these will form the basis of assessment questions.
Internal vs. external forms of social control are also covered but focus primarily on the main three processes.
Social Control and Conflict Resolution
Every society implements some form of social control to manage conflict and maintain order:
Internal Controls: Norm-based adherence to societal values.
External Controls: Formal laws and enforcement mechanisms, such as police and judicial systems.
Case Study: Amish Community
Social control among the Amish illustrates effective internal mechanisms:
Around 75,000 Amish in the U.S. maintain traditions that predate the industrial revolution.
Community support systems replace the need for formal legal systems.
Individuals offer support, such as community barn raisings, demonstrating mutual aid and local social control.
Complexity and Formalization of Law
Larger societies require formal laws to maintain social order, involving:
Codified rules defining behavior and conduct.
Agents like police to enforce compliance.
Distinction between crimes (offenses against the state) and torts (offenses against individuals).
Band Level Societies
In less complex societies, the law is less formalized:
Disputes may be resolved through argument until a mutual resolution occurs.
If unresolved, individuals may simply leave the community.
Case Studies of Dispute Resolution in Different Cultures
Negotiation among the Nuer of Kenya and Ethiopia:
Focuses on cattle disputes and bride price considerations.
Direct confrontation between parties leads to a slow resolution process.
Mediation with the Nundewala of India:
Utilizes a council of elders to facilitate discussions and settlements, showing a more organized approach to dispute resolution.
Adjudication through the Barabaig women's court:
Women hold the authority to make judgments in disputes, illustrating a non-traditional power dynamic.
Example: Kpelle of Liberia, trial by ordeal dictates guilt or innocence using supernatural beliefs, analogous to forensic methodologies in Western justice.
Societal Views on Nature and Warfare
Differences between hunters and gatherers vs. food-producing societies:
Hunters and gatherers typically engage in voluntary sharing during scarcity rather than warfare.
Food producers may view resources more competitively, potentially leading to conflict.
Global Context and Social Control
Efforts for cooperative social control must be established internationally to prevent violence and establish order among diverse societies.
Ongoing challenges surround maintaining peace and effective resolution strategies at every societal level.