African Political Systems

Nonfiction, History, Africa, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
Cover of the book African Political Systems by Meyer Fortes, Read Books Ltd.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Meyer Fortes ISBN: 9781446545362
Publisher: Read Books Ltd. Publication: March 23, 2011
Imprint: Hesperides Press Language: English
Author: Meyer Fortes
ISBN: 9781446545362
Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
Publication: March 23, 2011
Imprint: Hesperides Press
Language: English

One object we had in initiating this study was to provide a convenient reference book for anthropologists. We also hope that it will be a contribution to the discipline of comparative politics. We feel sure that the first object has been attained, for the societies described are representative of common types of African political systems and, taken together, they enable a student to appreciate the great variety of such types. As the sketch-map on p. 2 shows, the eight systems described are widely distributed in the continent. Most of the forms described are variants of a pattern of political organization found among contiguous or neighbouring societies, so that this book covers, by implication, a very large part of Africa. We are aware that not every type of political system found in Africa is represented, but we believe that all the major principles of African political organization are brought out in these essays. Several contributors have described the changes in the political systems they investigated which have taken place as a result of European conquest and rule. If we do not emphasize this side of the subject it is because all contributors are more interested in anthropological than in administrative problems. We do not wish to imply, however, that anthropology is indifferent to practical affairs. The policy of Indirect Rule is now generally accepted in British Africa. We would suggest that it can only prove advantageous in the long run if the principles of African political systems, such as this book deals with, are understood. Each essay is a condensation of a detailed study of the political system of a single people undertaken in recent years by the most advanced methods of field-work by students trained in anthropological theory. A degree of brevity that hardly does justice to some important topics has been necessary for reasons of space. Each essay furnishes, nevertheless, a useful standard by which the political systems of other peoples in the same area may be classified. No such classification is attempted in this book, but we recognize that a satisfactory comparative study of African political institutions can only be undertaken after a classification of the kind has been made. It would then be possible to study a whole range of adjacent societies in the light of the Ngwato system, the Tale system, the Ankole system, the Bemba system, and so on, and, by analysis, to state the chief characters of series of political systems found in large areas. An analysis of the results obtained by these comparative studies in fields where a whole range of societies display many similar characteristics in their political systems would be more likely to lead to valid scientific generalizations than comparison between particular societies belonging to different areas and political types.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

One object we had in initiating this study was to provide a convenient reference book for anthropologists. We also hope that it will be a contribution to the discipline of comparative politics. We feel sure that the first object has been attained, for the societies described are representative of common types of African political systems and, taken together, they enable a student to appreciate the great variety of such types. As the sketch-map on p. 2 shows, the eight systems described are widely distributed in the continent. Most of the forms described are variants of a pattern of political organization found among contiguous or neighbouring societies, so that this book covers, by implication, a very large part of Africa. We are aware that not every type of political system found in Africa is represented, but we believe that all the major principles of African political organization are brought out in these essays. Several contributors have described the changes in the political systems they investigated which have taken place as a result of European conquest and rule. If we do not emphasize this side of the subject it is because all contributors are more interested in anthropological than in administrative problems. We do not wish to imply, however, that anthropology is indifferent to practical affairs. The policy of Indirect Rule is now generally accepted in British Africa. We would suggest that it can only prove advantageous in the long run if the principles of African political systems, such as this book deals with, are understood. Each essay is a condensation of a detailed study of the political system of a single people undertaken in recent years by the most advanced methods of field-work by students trained in anthropological theory. A degree of brevity that hardly does justice to some important topics has been necessary for reasons of space. Each essay furnishes, nevertheless, a useful standard by which the political systems of other peoples in the same area may be classified. No such classification is attempted in this book, but we recognize that a satisfactory comparative study of African political institutions can only be undertaken after a classification of the kind has been made. It would then be possible to study a whole range of adjacent societies in the light of the Ngwato system, the Tale system, the Ankole system, the Bemba system, and so on, and, by analysis, to state the chief characters of series of political systems found in large areas. An analysis of the results obtained by these comparative studies in fields where a whole range of societies display many similar characteristics in their political systems would be more likely to lead to valid scientific generalizations than comparison between particular societies belonging to different areas and political types.

More books from Read Books Ltd.

Cover of the book The Misses Mallett by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book Religion - A Friend in the Library - Volume VIII by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book A Selection of Recipes for Making Home-Made Fruit and Flower Wines by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book And Then There Was Light - An Illustrated Guide to Lamps with Information on Methods of Lighting, Types of Illumination, Wiring, Plugs, Bulbs and Parts by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book What Your Dreams Mean by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book Suleiman the Magnificent - Sultan of the East by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book The Value of Science in the Smithy and Forge by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book The Curious Case of Lady Purbeck - A Scandal of the XVIIth Century by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book Paper Toy Making by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book Ludwig Van Beethoven - An die Hoffnung - Op.94 - A Score for Voice and Piano by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book South Sumatran Ship Cloths by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book Cheshire - Traditions and History by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book The Deerhound - A Dog Anthology (A Vintage Dog Books Breed Classic) by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book Little Book of Questions on Cocktails by Meyer Fortes
Cover of the book Four Weeks in the Trenches: The War Story of a Violinist (WWI Centenary Series) by Meyer Fortes
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy