[GPC-ANTH] Discussion Topic for Chapter 12 - Politics in Egalitarian Societies

Discussion topic for Chapter12
Given the basic definition of politics presented in the beginning of this chapter, why do you think that power in egalitarian societies plays a relatively insignificant role?

Student Response

The term political organization is defined in our textbook as “The way power is distributed and embedded in society; the means through which a society creates and maintains social order.” Power, as it relates to politics and societies, is defined as “the ability of individuals or groups to impose their will upon others and make them do things even against their own wants or wishes”.

In societies where individuals are regarded as more-or-less equal in social stature, there is a tendency to dilute political power bases to prevent instances of real or perceived oppression. We are given choice in where we live, and the type of work we do, even the manner in which we voice disapproval of our government’s actions on our behalf. Almost every aspect of life in an egalitarian society is held to be a right of the individual, not just a privilege. We grant a measure of power to some members of society, but we hold tight to that grant, never letting them forget that we are just as happy to take it away (whether through bureaucratic legalities or social defamation) if they fail in their responsibility to our shared trust.

This is not the case in stratified societies. In societies where the cultural structure is rigidly defined, however, those in positions of power do not allow dispute of that authority. State-sanctioned prosecution, restriction of personal rights, confiscation of wealth or lands – even death – are what await individuals that find public fault with the system or who seek to step outside their social boundaries.

There is a movie in which a group of Grasshoppers hold social power over a nest of Ants. The grasshoppers are not part of the ant’s governing body but, because they are seen as bigger, stronger, and are willing to inflict brutalities upon ants to get their way, they are able to dictate the social order on the island where both “tribes” live. During a crucial scene, there is a speech by the leader of the band of political bullies. The words he speaks are absolutely chilling in their clarity of vision regarding the real world politics of various cultures today.

“You let one ant stand up to us, then they all might stand up! Those puny little ants outnumber us a hundred to one and if they ever figure that out there goes our way of life! It's not about food, it's about keeping those ants in line. That's why we're going back! Does anybody else wanna stay? … Let's ride!”
--- “Hopper”, A Bug's Life

This sentiment is a key marker of political oppression. Power is held by a few, through violence most often-supported by religion or legislation. This type of oppression is less likely to occur in egalitarian societies because of the people’s general refusal to live life under others’ terms.

Right to Free Speech Granted, But Please Consider Your Words

This evening on the way home from a child-swap rendezvous with my ex-husband, I was told by a complete stranger - via one of six stickers adorning the rear bumper of their vehicle - that "If Mary were Pro-Choice there would be NO Christmas!"

I took great exception to these words, so much so that I tweeted about them to my friends at the very next red light. -- Don't harass me about texting on the road, dorkling. I was stopped for a full two minutes during which my vehicle couldn't legally move.

Exception wasn't taken for the reason you might think, though. Oh, no. My objection to these words was neither religious nor political. I fully support the right of an individual to hold to whatever spiritual belief structure makes their existence understandable to them and to spout whatever opinion, on any topic, that they might calmly and rationally put forth. What offended me were the poorly chosen words for the message this person, so clearly, wanted to share.

Let's break it apart, shall we?

PRO-CHOICE
The phrase itself means "I approve of an individual's right to choose the action they will take". In the day-to-day world in which we live, this can mean many things. It can mean "I don't care, choose what makes you happy.", or it can mean "I approve of your right to become a Darwin Statistic." In political jargon, it's understood as a woman's right to choose whether or not to prematurely terminate a pregnancy. These words DO NOT, on their own, mandate that termination. They represent a choice - to have and keep, to have and give away, or to end that biological process.

So, if Mary were Pro-Choice, she could have made the choice we are told she made ... to have and keep the conceived-outside-the-marriage-bed child.

CHRISTMAS
Did one choice made 2000 years ago by a young woman to not abort an unplanned pregnancy dictate the holiday list of our modern calendar? Obliquely, yes. It was not a matter to which she likely gave consideration while the Great Event was happening, however. It's equally doubtful that she was ever consulted for her opinion on the future calendar placement of her child's birthday.

There is much discussion, and more than a little question, on the matter of Dec 25 being the exact day that Christianity's Sacrificial Lamb was born. More consideration was given to holiday placement by Pope-types that needed to corral wayward peasantry with differing (pagan) belief systems - and, in time, by the merchant class of the developing socio-economic world - than the young woman herself is sure to have given. Blame them for this holiday, not Mary.

Don't believe me? Wonderful! Don't take my word for it.
Educate yourself on the facts ...

MANKIND's HUBRIS
Taking the Christian viewpoint as a granted fact for sake of this conversation, the statement on the bumper sticker borders on blasphemy. Are we to assume belief that the All Mighty can not redirect his effort? That the Great Plan could be disrupted by the action of a single member of the human race? That He would be unable to find a way around the willful nature of, what is surely to Him, the equivalent of an ant?

Right. I'm pretty sure the Christian God intuitively gets what every Game Master has to learn on their own. IE, plots are perfect until players interact with it and a good GM must plan for flexibility when the characters, inevitably and against all good reason, turn left. In this case, Creation itself would (in all probability) have bent to His Will and Mary's hypothetical attempt at abortion would have failed, or Some Other Virgin would have been Blessed and we'd be singing praises about "Susan" as the "Holy Mother of God" instead.

AND FINALLY
If you're going to make a public statement, and you're not purposefully ignoring them for colloquial or literary effect, please make use of proper punctuation. If-Then statements need commas.

It isn't hard, but the little things really do make a difference when you're trying to chastise the world. ;)