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Understanding Human Political Systems: Power, Authority, and Organization

This lesson explores the complexities of human political systems, defining politics as the practice of selecting leaders to maintain social order and distribute power. It contrasts direct and indirect forms of power, emphasizing the concept of hegemony as ideological control. Various forms of political organization are examined, from bands and tribes to chiefdoms and states, each with distinct leadership and social structures. Additionally, it covers Max Weber's elements of bureaucracy, providing a comprehensive overview of how political institutions function and interact within society.

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Understanding Human Political Systems: Power, Authority, and Organization

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  1. PoliticalRealities Lesson 7: Human Political Systems

  2. Politics • Politics refers to a wide set of social practices including: • Selecting a leader to make decisions and accomplish tasks • This can be a government or an individual • Also maintains social order and deals with outsiders • Another key function of politics is to distribute power

  3. Power • Many definitions: • The book states – “power is a generalized capacity to transform” • Our definition – • “The ability to achieve a goal despite resistance.” • Thus, if you have power, you have the ability to exercise your will over others

  4. The Forms of Power • Authority • Socially approved use of power • Power can exist without authority • Direct and Indirect • Direct power (or coercive) involves using force • Indirect power (or persuasive) involves argument and ideology

  5. Hegemony • Hegemony is a form of indirect power • Antonio Gramsci • Observed that groups cannot constantly maintain power through force • Power has to be maintained through ideological means • Hegemony is an ideological form of power • Explains the right to rule • Justifies inequality

  6. Forms of Political Organization • Bands • Small scale groups • Food foragers • Egalitarian • Who is their leader? • Tribes • Smaller units of people linked together • Food producers • Some social distinctions • Who is their leader?

  7. Forms of Political Organization • Chiefdoms • Much larger groups • Egalitarianism completely eroded • Who is their leader? • States • Clearly defined geographic territory • Defends from external threat with a military and internal disorder with a police force • Rigid hierarchy • Controlled by a government

  8. Bureaucracy • Max Weber’s 6 key elements of bureaucracy • Specialization • Hierarchy • A Public Office • Rules and Regulation • Technical Competence • Impersonality • Do they always work perfectly?

  9. Exam Review Questions • What is the function of politics as a social institution? • What is the definition of the following forms of political organization? • Bands • Tribes • Chiefdoms • State • What is a nation? How does this differ from a state? • What types of leaders does Marvin Harris identify in “Life Without Chiefs”? • What is bureaucracy? • What are Weber’s six theoretical components? • What did Antonio Gramsci call the indirect power that he identified?

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