Southern New Hampshire University
ATH 101: Introduction to Anthropology
Module 6 Notes
Politics!is the method by which most societies maintain an orderly life.! Religion (at its most
basic) is the belief in supernatural power(s).! Both of these institutions have an impact on social
behavior and are often closely intertwined.! The International Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP)
writes on the connection between religion and politics:!
“The relation between religion and politics continues to be an important theme in!political
philosophy, despite the emergent consensus (both among political theorists and in practical
political contexts, such as the United Nations) on the right to freedom of conscience and the need
for some separation between church and state.! One reason for the importance of this topic is that
religions often make strong claims about people’s allegiance, and universal religions make these
claims about all people rather than just a particular community.! For example, Islam has
traditionally held that all people owe obedience to Allah’s will.! Thus, it is probably inevitable
that religious commitments will sometimes conflict with the demands of politics.! But religious
beliefs and practices also potentially support politics in many ways.! The extent and form of this
support are as important to political philosophers as is the possibility for conflict.! Moreover,
there has been a growing interest in minority groups and the political rights and entitlements they
are due.! One result of this interest is substantial attention given to the particular concerns and
needs of minority groups distinguished by their religion, as opposed to ethnicity, gender, or
wealth”!(Calloway, n.d.).
Political Organizations: Cultural groups vary in how they manage their political affairs.! The
four systems recognized today are!bands, tribes, chiefdoms,and states.! The first two are the
simplest.!!Bands!are primarily found among foragers.! Their groups are small, generally
numbering no more than two dozen, and are composed of groups of families living together.!
They are typically egalitarian, although some members might stand out for their skill or
knowledge.! These individuals may become informal leaders who can advise and propose
actions, but they have no formal authority to force others to do their bidding.! As a band grows,
so do social tensions.! Since there was no power to settle disputes, fissioning was typical, where
families were left to form their own groups.! The band’s political organization pretty much faded
out in the 19th century.! From an anthropological perspective: “While it is easy to think of these
people and their traditional way of life in the past as oddities, it is important to keep in mind that
the distant ancestors of all people on earth lived in bands at one time. Before the end of the last
ice age, around 10,000 years ago, it is likely that very few societies had more complex levels of
political integration” (O’Neil, 2016).
Tribes!are similar to bands but somewhat more complicated.! Tribes are “groups that center
around kinship units and common-interest groups that cross-cut kindred boundaries.
Horticulture typifies subsistence technology. People who attain prestige according to cultural
standards may be seen as leaders. The big-man institution is common in tribes” (O’Neil, 2016).!
A defining quality of a tribe that separates it from a band is pan-tribal associations or sodalities.!
“These groups cross-cut the society by bringing together a limited number of people, typically at
least one from each family.! Pantribal associations often include councils, groups of older men or
women who are members of the same age set, warrior societies, religious cults, or secret
societies.! While these groups have specific purposes, they also create order and a sense of unity
for a tribe” (O’Neil, 2016). !
Chiefdoms, like bands and tribes, have no class system, but they have leaders with authority to
decide for the societies.! Chiefdoms may have “advisory” councils, but no bureaucratic
administrators exist.! The “chiefs” are the government, and their position is inherited; for this
reason, chiefdoms are “ranked” societies.! One of the most substantial advantages of chiefdoms
over bands and tribes is the fact that Chiefs can assemble large military forces in times of war.
State-level political systems!first appeared in societies with large-scale intensive agriculture” [in
5 major regions - Middle East, Mesoamerica, China, Egypt, and Africa].! “They began as
chiefdoms and then evolved into more centralized, authoritarian kingdoms when their
populations grew into tens of thousands of people.! While chiefdoms are societies in which
everyone is ranked relative to the chief, states are socially stratified into largely distinct classes in
terms of wealth, power, and prestige” (O’Neil, 2016).!
Religion, from an anthropological perspective: “is a system of beliefs usually involving the
worship of supernatural forces or beings.! Religious beliefs provide shape and meaning to one’s
perception of the universe.! In other words, they provide a sense of order in what might
otherwise be seen as a chaotic existence.! Religions also provide understanding and meaning for
inexplicable events such as a loved one being killed in an earthquake or some other
unpredictable force of nature.! For most religious people, their beliefs about the supernatural are
at the very core of their!world views”!(O’Neil, 2009).Religion is a cultural universal that dates
back to our Neanderthal ancestors.! Despite their many differences, all religions today are
related; they are based on pre-existing beliefs that have evolved through time and space.! !Faith is
compelling and is capable of producing evil as well as good.! Is it a necessity for the human
condition?! I believe it is up to the individual’s worldview.!
References:
Callaway, C. (n.d.)!Religion and Politics!Retrieved from!http://www.iep.utm.edu/rel-poli/#H5
O’Neil, D. (2016)! !Bands and Tribes!Retrieved
from!http://anthro.palomar.edu/political/pol_2.htm.
O’Neil, D. (2009)! !Overview of Religion! !Retrieved
from!http://anthro.palomar.edu/religion/rel_1.htm.
Definitions of Anthropological Terms! !(2012)! !Retrieved
from!http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/anth370/gloss.html.
