Political systems

 


Political systems are the means through which a society maintains soscial order and reduces social disorder.To accomplish this, political systems act to do the following:

  • SOCIAL CONTROL
  • CONFLICT RESOLUTION (when order is disturbed and conflict arises)
This enatils having vested POWER.

Power is the ability to choose your own fate and the fate of others.
Types of Power:
  • Legitimate: This is power vested in consensus. It is based on ones ability to persuade others.
  • Coercive: This is power vested in force or threat of force.
Aspects of power:
  • Informal: Also known as "influence", not vested by the social structure.Exercised informally.
  • Formal: Clearly vested by the social structure, exercised formally under rules.
KINDS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS:
  • Decentralized Systems
    • Band
      • nomadic
      • hunters & gatherers
      • informal leadership
        • based on individual qualities and skills
        • situational
      •  emphasis on group HARMONY (resolving conflicts) & CONSENSUS, rather than adhering to abstract principles.
      • legitimate power
      • Social control achieved through public opinion, gossip, ritual action
    • Tribe
      • separate bands or other groupings occupying a specific region which speak a common language, share a common culture and are integrated by some unifying factor (like clan membership)
      • horticultural & pastoral sociaties
      • unilineal
      • clan (kinship) is the seat of political power
      • legitimate power based on
        • age 
        • knowledge (wisdom)
        • bravery
        • gender
  • Big Man societies: 
    • personal authority based on WEALTH
    • Judged by their GENEROSITY (make loans)
    • political entrepreneurs 
  • Centralized Systems: Formally defined, centralized leaderships comes about as populations increase and surplus economies are established in the place of subsistence economies.
    • Chiefdom: Ranked society in which every member has a position (status) within the hierarchy. This status is determined by membership in a kin group.
      • CHIEF: has true coercive authority, hereditary position
        • may be a hierarchy of chiefs
        • amass large amounts of personal wealth and are responsible for redistribution
      • highly unstable
      • warfare is endemic
      • agricultural and pastoral societies
  • State: most formal political organization, highly centralized government with large bureaucracies which is backed by coercive authority and adhere to laws (abstract concepts) to achieve political goals.
    • delegation of authority on a hierarchy
      • impersonal
      • "unbiased"
    • stratified societies
    • large populations which are diverse in their core values
    • intensive specialization of labor
    • market economies
    • unstable
SOCIAL CONTROL:
Forms of Control (use of power)
  • Internalized Controls: beliefs that are thoroughly engrained in each person, so that they feel personally responsible for their own behavior.
    • fear of punishment
    • disgust (i.e. incest)
    • shame
    • fear of supernatural retribution
  • Externalized Controls: institutions designed to encourage conformity to social norms
    • Sanctions
      • positive-express approval (rewards)
        • awards
        • titles
        • recognition
      • negative-express disapproval (punishments)
        • threat of punishment
        • humiliation
        • imprisionment
        • ostricism
Types of Sanctions:
  • Formal Sanctions (LAWS):
    • attempt to precisely and explicitly regulate behavior
    • articulated and backed by institutions in society
    • CRIME : breech of a law 
    • Functions:
      • define relationships among member of society
      • allocate authority to employ coercion in enforcement of sanctions
      • redefine social relationships and ensure social flexibility (change with culture change)
  •  Informal Sanctions:
    • diffuse in nature
    • involve spontaneous expressions of approval and disapproval by members of a group or community
      • witchcraft
      • gossip
      • vigilantism
CONFLICT RESOLUTION 
  • Negotiation
    • All views aired
    • direct communication
    • common resolution between disputing parties
    • goal: reestablish harmony/diffuse conflict
  • Mediation
    • all views aired
    • direct communication w/help of unbiased party (mediator)
    • common resolution between disputing parties
    • goal: reestablish harmony/diffuse conflict
  • Adjudication
    • Only select views aired (relevant)
    • communication through adjudicator who has authority
    • resolution determined by adjudicator
    • goal: appeal to abstract laws
WARFARE (external conflict vs feuding)

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