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Intro to Anthropology
Table of Contents
Unit 8 Overview: Political Anthropology: Power and Authority
8.1 Colonialism and the Categorization of Political Systems
8.2 Acephalous Societies: Bands and Tribes
8.3 Centralized Societies: Chiefdoms and States
8.4 Modern Nation-States
8.5 Resistance, Revolution, and Social Movements

Social movements and resistance shape societies worldwide. From the Arab Spring to Indigenous land protection efforts, these collective actions challenge power structures and push for change. Understanding their goals, tactics, and outcomes is crucial for grasping political dynamics.

Anthropologists study resistance through fieldwork, historical analysis, and cross-cultural comparisons. They examine how movements mobilize, use different tactics, and navigate challenges. This research reveals the complexities of social change and the diverse ways people fight for justice and representation.

Social Movements and Resistance

Social movements vs political parties

  • Social movements organize collective action to promote or resist social change, often focusing on specific issues (civil rights, environmentalism, women's suffrage) and operating outside established political channels
  • Political parties are organized groups seeking to influence government policy through electoral politics, typically with broad platforms addressing multiple issues, operating within the political system to gain power through elections (Democratic Party, Republican Party, Green Party)

Goals and outcomes of Arab Spring

  • Goals: Overthrow authoritarian regimes, establish democratic governments, address corruption, unemployment, lack of political freedom
  • Outcomes varied:
    1. Success in some countries establishing democratic governments (Tunisia)
    2. Ongoing civil wars in others (Syria, Libya)
    3. Little change or authoritarian regimes reasserting control (Egypt, Bahrain)
  • Lessons: Revolution doesn't always lead to desired outcomes, establishing stable democratic institutions is a long-term process, external factors like foreign intervention can significantly impact outcomes

Limitations of democratic representation

  • Majority-rule systems can marginalize minority groups lacking numbers to elect representatives prioritizing their interests, with majority groups passing laws disproportionately harming minorities
  • Barriers to political participation include voter suppression tactics (strict voter ID laws, limited polling locations) disproportionately impacting marginalized groups and lack of resources (time, money) limiting their ability to engage in political activism
  • Lack of diversity in political leadership means elected officials may not reflect population diversity, leading to policies failing to address needs of marginalized groups
  • Civil society organizations play a crucial role in advocating for marginalized groups and holding governments accountable

Anthropological Perspectives on Resistance

Anthropological study of resistance

  • Ethnographic fieldwork involves participant observation and interviews with social movement members to understand motivations, strategies, experiences of activists
  • Historical analysis examines social, political, economic contexts giving rise to resistance and social movements, tracing their evolution and societal impact over time
  • Comparative analysis compares resistance and social movements across cultures and historical periods to identify common patterns and unique features

Indigenous movements for land protection

  • Indigenous groups have formed movements to resist colonization, dispossession, forced relocation, land seizures, cultural assimilation (American Indian Movement, Idle No More, Zapatista uprising)
  • Movements assert Indigenous sovereignty, protect traditional ways of life, demand land rights, language preservation, control over natural resources (Kayapo resistance to Amazon deforestation, Maori sovereignty movement in New Zealand)
  • Grassroots organizing is often central to these movements, building community support and leadership from the ground up

Forms and effectiveness of resistance

  • Nonviolent resistance tactics (protests, boycotts, civil disobedience) can garner public support and pressure authorities to change (Indian independence movement, US civil rights movement)
  • Violent resistance tactics (armed struggle, sabotage, terrorism) may be seen as a last resort when nonviolent methods fail, but can escalate conflict and lose public support (Irish Republican Army, Palestinian Liberation Organization)
  • Effectiveness factors include level of public support and participation, ability to disrupt normal societal functioning, authority response (concessions vs repression), external support from other movements or nations

Mobilization and Social Justice

  • Collective action is crucial for social movements to achieve their goals, often requiring coordination of diverse groups and resources
  • Social justice serves as a motivating force and end goal for many resistance movements, addressing systemic inequalities and discrimination
  • Protest tactics vary widely, from peaceful demonstrations to more confrontational approaches, and their choice can significantly impact a movement's public perception and success
  • Effective mobilization often involves building coalitions, raising awareness, and developing strategies to overcome obstacles to participation

Key Terms to Review (22)

Ethnographic Fieldwork: Ethnographic fieldwork is a core methodology in cultural anthropology that involves immersing oneself in a community or cultural setting to directly observe and document human behavior, social interactions, and cultural practices. It is a holistic approach that aims to provide a rich, in-depth understanding of a particular cultural context.
Participant Observation: Participant observation is a qualitative research method in which the researcher actively engages with and observes the behaviors, interactions, and cultural practices of a group or community in their natural setting. This immersive approach allows the researcher to gain an insider's perspective and a deeper understanding of the studied phenomenon.
Irish Republican Army: The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a paramilitary organization that has historically sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland and establish an independent, united Ireland through the use of armed force and political means. The IRA has been a central player in the complex history of resistance, revolution, and social movements in Ireland.
US Civil Rights Movement: The US Civil Rights Movement was a decades-long struggle by African Americans and their allies to end racial discrimination and secure equal rights under the law. It involved a range of strategies, from nonviolent protests to legal challenges, aimed at dismantling the system of segregation and securing voting rights, fair housing, and desegregation of public facilities.
American Indian Movement: The American Indian Movement (AIM) was a Native American activist organization that emerged in the late 1960s to advocate for indigenous rights, sovereignty, and social justice. AIM played a pivotal role in the resistance, revolution, and social movements of Native Americans, as well as the ongoing struggle for indigenous agency and rights.
Nonviolent Resistance: Nonviolent resistance is a form of civil disobedience and social activism that employs nonviolent methods, such as boycotts, strikes, and peaceful protests, to challenge and resist unjust laws, policies, or authorities without the use of violence. It is a powerful tool for social change and political transformation.
Arab Spring: The Arab Spring refers to a series of pro-democracy uprisings that occurred in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa, beginning in 2010. These uprisings were marked by public demonstrations, civil disobedience, and in some cases, armed conflict, as citizens sought to challenge authoritarian regimes and demand political, economic, and social reforms.
Idle No More: Idle No More is a grassroots indigenous rights movement that emerged in Canada in 2012. It aims to protect indigenous sovereignty and environmental rights, as well as to raise awareness of issues facing indigenous communities. The movement is closely tied to the topics of resistance, revolution, and social movements.
Zapatista uprising: The Zapatista uprising was a major armed rebellion that began on January 1, 1994 in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. It was led by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), an indigenous revolutionary group, against the Mexican government and in support of greater autonomy and rights for Mexico's marginalized indigenous populations.
Maori Sovereignty Movement: The Maori Sovereignty Movement is a political and social movement that seeks to assert the inherent rights and autonomy of the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand. This movement is rooted in the resistance against colonial oppression and the desire to reclaim Maori self-determination, land rights, and cultural preservation.
Civil Disobedience: Civil disobedience is the act of deliberately disobeying a law or government directive, typically as a form of peaceful protest or resistance against perceived injustice. It involves nonviolent actions to challenge the authority of the state or its laws, often with the goal of inspiring change or drawing attention to a cause.
Collective Action: Collective action refers to the coordinated efforts of individuals or groups to achieve a common goal or address a shared concern. It involves the mobilization and cooperation of people who come together to bring about social, political, or economic change through organized activities and movements.
Social Justice: Social justice is a concept that emphasizes the fair and equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. It is a fundamental principle that seeks to address systemic inequalities and ensure that all members of a community have access to the resources and support necessary to thrive.
Social Movements: Social movements are collective efforts by people to bring about or resist social, political, economic, or cultural change. They are organized, sustained, and purposeful efforts to challenge existing systems, structures, and norms through various means, such as protests, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization.
Indian independence movement: The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events and campaigns with the ultimate goal of ending British rule in India and establishing an independent Indian nation. This movement, which spanned decades, involved various forms of resistance, revolutionary actions, and social movements that challenged the colonial system and ultimately led to India's independence in 1947.
Political Parties: Political parties are organized groups that seek to influence the political process and gain control of government through the electoral process. They play a crucial role in the context of resistance, revolution, and social movements by mobilizing supporters, advocating for change, and shaping the political landscape.
Kayapo Resistance: Kayapo resistance refers to the ongoing struggle and activism of the Kayapo, an indigenous people of Brazil, against the encroachment of their ancestral lands and the exploitation of their natural resources by the government and private interests. This resistance is a critical example of how indigenous communities have fought to preserve their way of life and assert their rights in the face of external forces seeking to undermine their autonomy.
Grassroots Organizing: Grassroots organizing refers to the process of mobilizing and empowering individuals at the community level to collectively advocate for social, political, or economic change. It involves building a base of support from the ground up, often through direct engagement with local stakeholders and the use of decentralized, participatory tactics.
Mobilization: Mobilization refers to the process of organizing and activating people, resources, and support to achieve a specific goal, particularly in the context of resistance, revolution, and social movements. It involves the collective action of individuals or groups to challenge existing power structures and bring about change.
Palestinian Liberation Organization: The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is a political and paramilitary organization that was formed in 1964 with the goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state. It has been a central player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading various resistance and revolutionary activities to achieve Palestinian self-determination and national rights.
Civil Society: Civil society refers to the sphere of voluntary civic and social organizations and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, distinct from the state and commercial/for-profit sector. It encompasses a range of groups and associations that operate outside of the government and economy, promoting various social, political, and cultural interests and values.
Protest Tactics: Protest tactics refer to the various methods and strategies employed by individuals or groups to express dissent, challenge authority, and advocate for social, political, or economic change. These tactics are often used in the context of resistance, revolution, and social movements as a means of bringing attention to issues and pressuring those in power to address them.