Chapter 8 Flashcards
What is a tribe?
A food-producing society with rudimentary political structure
What is law?
A legal code of a state society, with trial and enforcement
What is a village head
A local tribal leader with limited authority
What is power?
Ability to exercise one’s will over others; authority is formal, socially approved use of power
What is the “big man”?
Like a village head except his authority is regional and may have influence over more than one village
What are chiefdoms?
Transitional form of sociopolitical organization between tribes and state
What is the importance of gossip and shame?
Gossip and shame can function as effective processes of social control when a direct or formal sanction is risky or impossibe
What are states?
States are autonomous political units with social strata and a formal government. They tend to be large and populous
