Short notes
Political Organization and Social Control
4. Political Organization And Social Control
Definition
4. Political Organization and Social Control
Band
Definition
Chiefs maintained autonomy even over non-tribals.
Example / case study
- Redistribution practiced even in harsh environments
Tribe
Definition
1. Formative Phase (1774–1919)
Example / case study
- Herbert Risley: Racial theory of caste; The People of India.
- Thurston: Castes & Tribes of Southern India.
- Beginning: Institutionalisation of anthropology (Dept. of Anthropology, Calcutta University – 1920).
- Nature: Empirical fieldwork, study of social institutions.
Chiefdom
Definition
1941: Defined as those of tribal origin.
Example / case study
- Leader may select camp location but lacks coercive power
- The concept of tribe was elaborated by Elman Service.
Kingdom
Definition
Argument: Shudras were originally part of the Kshatriya varna.
State
Definition
Informal Means of Social Control (Simple Societies)
Concepts Of Power
Definition
Social Control in Simple Societies
Authority
Definition
Household called Tarawad – matrilineal, but headed by eldest male (Karnavan).
Legitimacy
Definition
Folk ideas were given scientific legitimacy over time.
Example / case study
- Japanese considered “white” at one time; Chinese labelled “coloured”.
Social Control
Definition
Informal Means of Social Control (Simple Societies)
Example / case study
- Satrol Khap → First to allow inter-caste marriage.
- Boora Khap → anti-dowry & marriage expenditure minimum.
- Narwal Khap → helpline vs child marriage, feticide & gender violence.
- 👉 Despite liberal steps(women akhadas, fund for athletics), male dominance persists → Khap = tradition + modernity mix.
Law
Definition
According to Aristotle, man is a homo politicus (political animal).
Justice In Simple Societies
Definition
Incest taboo (universal, degree varies).