Question 1

The Karimojong of northeast Uganda use what type of system as the basis of their political organization?

Accepted Answer

The Karimojong of northeast Uganda use age-set association as the basis of their political organization. This system is based on dividing people into groups based on their age, and each age-set has its own roles, responsibilities, and privileges within the community. This system is common in many African societies and is used to maintain social order and ensure the community's well-being.

Question 2

In the modern world, __________.

Accepted Answer

Every society today has been incorporated into a larger, centralized political system, reflecting the global trend towards nation-states and political integration.

Question 3

How many societies in the ethnographic record were only informally organized at the time they were first described by anthropologists?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 50% of societies in the ethnographic record were only informally organized when first described by anthropologists, indicating a lack of formal political structures.

Question 4

In the United States, what factor was considered to make a political candidate look more competent, after controlling for age and attractiveness?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that facial structure, particularly a bigger chin, can influence perceptions of a political candidate's competence, even when controlling for other factors like age and attractiveness.

Question 5

In states with more collective action, rulers __________.

Accepted Answer

In states with more collective action, rulers often finance public works projects as a means to benefit the community and demonstrate their leadership and commitment to the public good.

Question 6

Which of these features is characteristic of a band?

Accepted Answer

Bands typically have low population density, characterized by small, nomadic groups that rely on hunting and gathering for subsistence, rather than intensive agriculture, social stratification, or strict territoriality.

Question 7

Complementary opposition is typical of which kind of group?

Accepted Answer

Complementary opposition is a key feature of segmentary lineages, which are characterized by social organization based on genealogical ties and reciprocal alliances. In this system, groups are divided into complementary categories, such as "us" vs. "them," or "friend" vs. "foe," with each group depending on the other for support and defense. This opposition can create tensions between groups, but it also helps maintain social order and balance. Age-sets and clans may also exhibit some level of complementary opposition, but it is most typical of segmentary lineages. Secret societies are not necessarily based on genealogy or reciprocal alliances, and may have a different kind of social organization.

Question 8

__________ suggest that when the state relies more heavily on resources from taxpayers, the rulers must give the public more in return or else face noncompliance and rebellion.

Accepted Answer

Collection action theorists suggest that when the state relies more heavily on resources from taxpayers, the rulers must give the public more in return or else face noncompliance and rebellion.

Question 9

The Nupe king of what is now __________ had ultimate authority over his people by __________ them.

Accepted Answer

The Nupe kingdom was located in what is now Nigeria, and the king exerted his authority over his people by implementing a system of taxation. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. Option B, C, and D are incorrect, as they either mention the wrong country or the wrong method of control.

Question 10

Level of political integration refers to the __________.

Accepted Answer

The level of political integration refers to the largest territorial group on whose behalf political activities are organized, indicating how political activities and decisions encompass various groups within a territory.

Question 11

The segmentary lineage system proved to be a great military advantage in the conflict between which two culturally similar groups?

Accepted Answer

The segmentary lineage system, which organizes society into segments that can come together in times of conflict, provided a significant military advantage for the Nuer in their conflicts with the Dinka. Both groups are culturally similar and reside in the Sudan region, where such social structures have historically played a crucial role in their ways of managing and engaging in conflicts.

Question 12

How many separate political units exist in the world today?

Accepted Answer

There are currently fewer than 200 separate political units in the world today. This includes countries, territories, and self-governing regions. The exact number can vary depending on how one defines a "political unit," but most estimates fall within this range.

Question 13

Into what principal types of political organization did Elman Service suggest most societies could be classified?

Accepted Answer

Elman Service suggested that most societies could be classified into four principal types of political organization: bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states.

Question 14

In addition to government and politics, political life includes __________.

Accepted Answer

Political life involves not only the exercise of power by governments and politicians but also the resolution of disputes, whether at the local or international level. This includes the use of legal procedures and courts, as well as informal conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Childrearing practices, the organization of kin groups, and distribution of wealth are important aspects of social life, but they are not usually considered part of political life.

Question 15

Which of these specific features allows for the emergence of cities in state-level organizations?

Accepted Answer

Intensive agriculture allows for the production of surplus food, which can support a larger population and the development of cities.

Question 16

Among the Tiv of Northern Nigeria, political organization is based on __________.

Accepted Answer

Among the Tiv people of Northern Nigeria, political organization is centered around kinship ties. The clan, which is based on descent from a common ancestor, is the most important political unit. Each clan has its own ancestral shrine and chief, who is responsible for the well-being of the clan members. The Tiv people believe that their ancestors continue to influence their lives, and so they look to their clan chief as a mediator between the living and the dead.

Question 17

Societies with tribal political organization are similar to band societies in their tendency to be __________.

Accepted Answer

Societies with tribal political organization tend to be egalitarian, meaning that there is little or no hierarchy and everyone has equal access to resources and decision-making power. Unlike caste-based or ranked societies, there is no strict social stratification based on birth or other factors. While there may be some differentiation of roles or status within the community, it is not as rigid as in other types of societies.

Question 18

In contrast to band societies, groups with tribal organizations tend to be __________.

Accepted Answer

Tribal organizations tend to be food producers, meaning they have developed some form of agriculture or animal husbandry to sustain themselves. This is in contrast to band societies, which rely on hunting and gathering.

Answer: B
 Tribal organizations tend to be relatively egalitarian, with power and decision-making shared among members of the group. While there may be some variation in status or role specialization, there is generally not a rigid hierarchy of power.

Answer: D
 Tribal organizations can be stratified to some degree, with individuals or families that hold greater wealth or status having more influence or power within the group. However, this stratification is typically less pronounced than in more complex societies with centralized political systems.

Therefore, the best choices are A and B.

Question 19

The different types of political organization are often strongly linked to variation in __________.

Accepted Answer

Political organization is closely tied to how a society acquires and distributes resources, which is shaped by their food-getting practices and economic systems. Additionally, the different types of political organization often have varying degrees of social stratification, which can also influence other aspects of social organization such as the form of kinship systems.

Question 20

The Mekranoti have a generally egalitarian society. Despite this, __________ are more likely to become leaders.

Accepted Answer

Sons of leaders are more likely to become leaders in the Mekranoti society due to the inheritance of social status and leadership roles, even in generally egalitarian societies where leadership may not be strictly hereditary but where familial connections and the social status of one's family can influence leadership opportunities.

Quiz 13: Political Life: Social Order and Disorder