Kriztina Rojas Political Organization COLLAPSE In Western civilizations, politics seem to influence everything, but politics is present in some form in every culture. As stated in the text, there is definitely a correlation between political organization and many things like access to food, economy, and social stratification. An anthropologist, Elman Service, categorized political organizations from “less to more centralized—bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states” (Lesson 9.1). It is important to note that the table in Lesson 9.1 or organization of political organizational trends like it are more generalizations, as there will always be some exceptions. Bands are defined as smaller, nomadic groups that are “politically autonomous.” This usually meant that they relied on the experience of an older man within the group, as mentioned by someone in an Iglulik Inuit band in the Pacific Northwest. However, it does not exemplify more established Native American bands in the same area who fish for salmon, larger and more permanent housing, and more complex political organization. Thus, bands in Table 9.1 are in an appropriate organization. Tribes are similar in political and social nature to bands, but they rely more heavily on hunting and herding, rather than collecting for food. They also tend to be more local than nomadic and there is no formal leadership that is established within the group. Chiefdoms and states tend to have a higher and stronger sense of political power in higher ranking individuals. There is also an increase in population within chiefdoms and states. After studying these groups, these trends exist because it seems to provide the least amount of conflict with maximum success for each respective group. For example, foraging will not be ideal within states, because it will set up a toxic environment for people to survive and the state will not thrive since it is so large. Further, states tend to strikingly separate the wealthy from the poor, as states have see classes and castes more often. Yet, foraging is perfect for those in smaller groups who do not have and social stratification since they collect food for the group rather than solely themselves. It is important to note that Table 9.1 is always evolving. As mentioned in the “Being Indigenous in the 21 st Century” by Wilma Mankiller, it is mentioned that there is always room for improvement in culture and understanding of indigenous people once there is effort to understand them. At one point, she mentions that, “to see the future, one needs only to look at the past” (Mankiller, Page 5). So, cultures simply need to learn other cultures with respect and openmindedness to provide a better future, politically and socially. Carmen Aikin Political Organizations COLLAPSE Politics is present in every single thing we do every day from using recycled water that was passed in a measure to driving on the roads that might be getting a makeover from that 12-cent hike on our gas tax. All these things came from a centralized government in which our state society has voted on. As a state organization, we fit all the criteria from being a nation that collects taxes and participates in economic and market exchange. We pride ourselves as a nation of brotherhood. However, there are other political organizations where true brotherhood and unity take center stage. In Table 9.1 of our Human Culture text book, we take a look at a band society and what is the foundation for such political system. A band organization is defined as self-governing and usually consist of a hundred members (more or less). Band societies are egalitarian in nature and decisions are made informally. As mentioned in our Human Culture text book Chapter 6, an egalitarian society depends heavily on sharing. In our society, it is about commercialism. If you have money, you have access to as many resources as money can buy. A person who does not have enough money to purchase food may go to bed hungry. In the case of an egalitarian society, an animal is already being divided before it is even hunted and killed. A big factor that plays a role is our great population. In our case, population is in the millions, thus making it almost impossible to become equal in any economic sense. In Peter Whiteley's "A Tie that Binds", Whiteley points out of how messages get lost in translation and how our form of distribution plays a role in the interaction between two different political organizations. In 1852 Hopi Indians sent U.S President Millard Fillmore a small gift packet which was supposed to commence a generous agreement between two societies. The Hopi Indians, whose form of distribution involved reciprocity unfortunately did not get that message across. Whiteley states, " As in strict barter, an exchange in Hopi culture that begins by making a gift to someone does not involve money, but it does require reciprocity. Thus goods, services, or knowledge “given” to an individual or a group are answered with something of equivalent value." The Hopi Indians were anticipating that the US would provide them protection from the Navajos and other settlers who wanted to take over their land. Instead, President Fillmore sent them peace medals and Western suits. A far cry of what the Hopi were expecting to achieve. The other two political organizations are tribe and chiefdom. At first glance, one may think they are identical to each other especially since both organizations take place in a mostly agricultural and herding society. However, the structures in which they function vary widely. Like a band organization, a tribal organization tends to be present in an egalitarian society and is also autonomous. This society tends to include kinships and age sets when it comes to its groups. These kinships bond communities together and in time of need, serve as protection against enemies. Nonetheless, a tribe only tends to come together when there is a threat thus forming only for a military purpose. Once that threat is no longer existent, many of the local groups will return to their villages. What makes someone a leader? In a tribe society it is the elders who makes informal decisions. Elders tend to be seen as a huge influence of decisions, and a segmentary lineage system also provides them that advantage in military affairs. If a tribe found itself feuding with neighboring tribes, they can call on their fellow brothers and acquire their support. These societies also have age set which provide the opportunity of members to experience certain events together. However, as noted with the Karimojob tribe of Africa, young men are getting more defiant and have access to guns. This scenario is most likely not to occur in a chiefdom. Their formal rank structure brings communities together to form one political unit. They consist of political envoys, warriors and respect from their communities. In some cases, different communities have their own chiefs. These chiefs, who are responsible for distributing goods and directing military operations, obtain their status through heredity and have the leadership skills present in their blood. These societies tend to be more established and order is kept year-round as opposed to only in the time of trouble. One characteristic that I think unites all four political organizations is the respect that the "leader", informally or formally conveys. Whether a leader or leaders are chosen in a band, tribal, or state organization, certain traits make a person stand out above the rest. Humans in general seek out characteristics that will benefit us in our survival. For example, we look up at elders and those with more life experience to guide us through rough patches in our lives or military conflicts. In the case with chiefdom, even though a chief and his family has access to more goods and prestige, most goods are redistributed to their community. As our textbook states, respect and legitimacy toward a political organization must be present. After all, if we did not believe in a government, or if our needs were not being met (through our tax dollars), there would be an uproar. This collective action is necessary for our state to continue the balance of our population and democratic needs.
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