Political Organizations

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the four designations of political structures and points out that they do not necessarily imply that one culture is morally or culturally superior to any other. The paper looks at the Basseri that are a nomadic society that exhibits features of being a band, a tribe and a chiefdom, while Haiti exhibits all the features of a modern state, including worldwide recognition as such. The paper also relates that ancient Aztec society was a state, while the Minangkabau are a matrilineal tribal society dwelling within the state of Indonesia who also experience some features of state politics.

From the Paper:

"Most human cultures can be classified based on their social and political systems, especially as those systems impact issues such as class stratification or gender. Political organizations vary considerably but usually fall well within one of the following four categories: bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states. Although often described as more or less advanced than one another, these four designations do not necessarily imply that one culture is morally or culturally superior to any other. A state can be enormously tyrannical in spite of its relatively complex and hierarchical system. In contrast, a band might be egalitarian."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Johnson, R. (2007). Basseri kinship and social organization. Retrieved July 25, 2008 from http://www.everyculture.com/Africa-Middle-East/Basseri-Kinship-and-Sociopolitical-Organization.html
• Kosty, P. (2002). Indonesia's matriarchal Minangkabau offer an alternative social system. Retrieved July 25, 2008 from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-05/uop-imm050902.php
• "Types of Societies." (nd). Retrieved July 25, 2008 from http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/anthro2003/glues/societyintro.html

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