Arch. Midterm #2 Flashcards
types of status distinction in social complexity
1) prestige
2) power
3) authority
respect conferred based on culturally valued qualities
prestige
ability to exercise one’s will over others (seizing leadership)
power
socially approved use of power (majoirty of people agree that this person is a leader)
authority
sources of power for emerging leaders (ERM) (3)
1) economy
2) religion
3) military etc.
types of social structures from less complex (less hierarchy) to more complex (more hierarchy)
1) Band
2) Tribe
3) Chiefdom
4) State
small group (60-100) in loosely defined territory
Band
characteristics of a Band (3) (EKH)
1) Egalitarian (equal roles)
2) kin-base (membership because born in)
3) H/G (nomadic) (rely on wild resources)
culturally distinct groups
tribe
characteristics of a tribe (3) (VCL)
1) village farmers
2) clan/lineage based (kin-based)
3) leaders (no formal gov’t) (there are influential people)
types of leaders in a tribe
1) The village head
2) The big man
charactertistics of the village head (2) (NM)
1) no real power, leads by example and persuasion (“Prestige”)
2) mediates disputes
charactertistics of the big man (3) (SOO)
1) similar to village head but wider reach
2) one per tribe (people who are well-liked)
3) often charismatic- respect
responsibilities of the big Man
1) feasts
2) encourages group contribution
3) facilitates cooperation
society with social ranking and formal leaders
Chiefdom
what is a chiefdom most like?
mid-way between a tribe and state
how is a chiefdom like a tribe?
kin-based
how is a chiefdom like a state?
institutional hierarchy (always have the office of ruler)
full-time political specialist in a chiefdom.
the chief
how does the chief regulate the economy?
through redistribution
system where goods more from local level to centralized collection point and back (e.g feasting)
redistibution
how does the chief come into office?
inherits office (descent rather than achievement)
what does a chief have great authority to do?
enforce decrees
formal government (hierarchial).
state