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Mazrui: Triple heritage--types of societies

Mazrui: Triple heritage--types of societies. Mazrui on [the Civilizations of ] the Bow and Spear. Hunting -- the mother of technology Technology and territory-- the parents of war. Lovers of animals. Spear--cattle complex Pastoralists. Lovers of land--agriculturalists.

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Mazrui: Triple heritage--types of societies

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  1. Mazrui:Triple heritage--types of societies

  2. Mazrui on [the Civilizations of] the Bow and Spear • Hunting -- the mother of technology • Technology and territory-- the parents of war

  3. Lovers of animals • Spear--cattle complex • Pastoralists

  4. Lovers of land--agriculturalists

  5. States and Stateless Societies • wide range of political formulations in Africa

  6. Definition of the State • authority is centralized • force -- part of political control • boundaries

  7. Definition of Stateless Societies • Consensus rather than coercion • Less concern with territorial boundaries • Diffuse authority • Rely on custom

  8. Conditions for a state • Settled agriculture--necessary, but not sufficient cause • Not all agricultural societies are states but all states -- agricultural base)

  9. Pastoral societies have had to conquer agricultural societies to become states • State needs greater resources

  10. Which is better? State or Stateless • Europeans respected states • Politically respectable • Treaties and pretend diplomatic relations • BUT STATES ARE: less egalitarian, more brutal

  11. European arrogance • Only complex civilizations are important • Ancient Egypt and other kingdoms (e.g., Ghana, Mali, Songhai) fit the bill

  12. Stateless • Egalitarian and social cohesion • More peaceful, harmonious

  13. Islam: Centralizing effect • Moves an agricultural society towards statehood • But not with pastoralists (e.g., Somalia)

  14. “Romantic Gloriana” • Emphasis past grandeur • Skills, monuments, performance • Technology, written word • Urbanism

  15. Hierarchy, kings and emperors • Trade and manufacture • Organizational principles of statehood • “Civilization” writ large

  16. Romantic Primitivism • Validates simplicity and non-technical traditions • Pride in the traditions that Europeans despised • Dignity in village life

  17. Folk beliefs and oral tradition • Romance of rhythm, drum and dance • Rural intimacy • Equality and cooperation in traditional life • Power to the people

  18. Two approaches: Reason and Emotion • I think, therefore I am (Descartes) • I feel, therefore I am (Senghor)

  19. Past is not over • Ancestors still with us • Calendar and clock are weak

  20. Archives versus oral tradition • Written word is weak except in Islamic societies (Arabic and Koran) • Weak capacity to record and preserve

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