Political System

• Band - typically formed by several families living together based on marriage ties, common descendants, friendship affiliations, and members usually have a common interest or enemy. The main source of integration is kinship either by blood or affinity.

  -foraging societies and low population densities
• Tribe - is considered an acephalous political system. Tribes are organized through the presence of pantribal associations or sodalities that come in form of a council or tribal elders.

  -are found among horticulturists and pastoralists society, larger population

  acephalous - no specific leader/ruler
• Chiefdom - formal leadership exists and authority rests solely on the members of a select family

  -more formal and permanent political structure

  • Simple chiefdom – characterized by a central village or community ruled by a single family
  • Complex chiefdom – composed of several simple chiefdoms ruled by a single paramount chief residing in a single paramount center
• Legitimacy - is a moral and ethical concept that bestows one who possesses power the right to exercise such power since such is perceived to be justified and proper
• Authority - is the power to make binding decisions and issue commands. It is necessary for a leader to possess authority.
• Types of Authority

  • Traditional authority – whose legitimacy is derived from well-established customs, habits, and social structures. The ability and right to rule is passed down, often through heredity. It does not change overtime, does not facilitate social change, tends to be irrational and inconsistent, and perpetuates the status quo
• • Charismatic authority – whose legitimacy emanates from the charisma of the individual, which for some can be seen as a ‘gift of grace’ or the possession of ‘gravitas’ or authority derived from a higher power such as those that are associated with the divine right of kings. Examples of leaders who were considered charismatic are Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Joan of Arc, and Nelson Mandela.
• Rational-legal or bureaucratic authority – authority draws its legitimacy from formal rules promulgated by the state through its fundamental and implementing laws. In this type of authority, power resides on the legally enacted rules and regulations which are inherent in the offices rather than in the officials of government.